A/N: Hey guys! So, i have little to say today except...Potato.
Chapter Sixteen: Doctors and Anchors
For both Hermione and Harry, the following week proved the old adage that once you learned about something, you wondered how you had missed it all the other times before. While there were many students at CUNY and the chances of both of them running into each other would normally be limited, once they had made their initial contact, not a day passed without one seeing the other either in the hallway, in the student commons or in the library. While their schedules were different and they were in different programs, it somehow seemed providential that they were now catching glimpses of one another.
Or perhaps one could say it was magic.
For Hermione, she felt a spark of interest in the raven haired young man with the emerald green eyes, both in his personality and in the story of how he had been discovered as a wizard. Her curiosity had been awakened not only by the frank and open discussion they had enjoyed in the library but by the questions Harry had asked regarding Hogwarts and Dumbledore. She asked herself continually how a young wizard with the obvious power Harry possessed had escaped wizarding government notice.
But the chance to reconnect with her old friend Fleur was first and foremost in her thoughts now and she made sure that she would not miss the Tuesday meeting with her old friend. She still wondered how Harry was going to arrange his promised meeting with Dr. Peter Alcott, but that could come about after her coffee date with Fleur.
However, it was not far from Harry's mind. The initial meeting with Hermione had birthed in him a desire to see her connect with Peter and perhaps his grandfather as well – and he was happy to see Fleur connect with one of her old friends. Plus, he had to admit to himself, there was something about Hermione that appealed to him.
So, it was after a lot of thought that he asked if Fleur could invite Hermione to the world below after her coffee date. Fleur initially had expressed some surprise, but when Harry had shared with her that Hermione had an interest in meeting Dr. Alcott to further her studies, she agreed a meeting with Dr. Alcott and the rest of Harry's family might be in order.
"You need to ask her to give the same vow that we asked of you," Harry had asked her during their planning meeting regarding the dinner.
"Do you need my father there? He has gone back to France for a short time – he is thinking of bringing Maman and Gabrielle back with him this time," Fleur replied.
"No, I am thinking of inviting Special Agent Mackenzie after supper because Hermione had some good insight into Dumbledore and Britain that neither you nor your father had.
"Besides, I'm trying to keep this as a small gathering – just Mom, Dad, the family, you, Grandpa and Peter."
Fleur looked at Harry carefully for several seconds. "You like her, don't you?"
Harry now blushed under her scrutiny. "I keep thinking about Erin's comments about you and one other and while I didn't really believe anything she said at first, I found that you've kind of grown on me. So, if Erin was right with one person, perhaps she is right with the other – and from the moment I met Hermione, I felt comfortable with her – almost as well as I began to feel with you." His face was reddening even as he was speaking and Fleur found it rather cute.
She decided to play out the scenario a little further to see how far she could push Harry. He looked so embarrassed right now.
Leaning closer to him, enough that she was invading his personal space; her face took on a mock serious expression. "So what you are telling me, Harry, is that I am not enough of a woman for you?" She reached across the distance between them and placed a well-manicured finger directly against his sweater. "And I – a Veela who would be desired by any man in the world?"
Harry swallowed, hard, a number of times. "If…..if….Erin had not mentioned about ….another…."
Fleur could not help giggling. "Oh, Harry – you are so cute when you are trying to talk your way out of a difficult spot. I know what you are trying to say – and yes, I too have been thinking about Erin's words the first day we met. I have been examining the occasional young lady that crosses your path to see if she could be the missing 'one' – and I will admit that if Hermione is the 'one' I could live with that.
"She became one of my few friends at Beauxbatons – it was possibly because we were both outsiders at the school. She was an outsider because she came from Britain and only appeared in her third year; I because many of my fellow classmates did not trust me around themselves or their boyfriends as if I wanted to steal mindless men for myself. The two years she spent with me I counted among the happiest I ever had at my French magical school.
"No, Harry, Hermione is a good friend and I am not surprised that you would feel comfortable with her as well.
"I will ask her to give her vow in order to keep our secrets safe. But be prepared – once her curiosity is aroused, it is an unstoppable force."
The afternoon light was shining in the windows of the café when Hermione entered, her eyes scanning back and forth for the familiar sight of her friend. There appeared to be no sign of Fleur and she experienced a slight twinge of disappointment before she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"'ermione, you came first. Have you not yet learned the first rule of being a woman – and a witch? Always be the last to arrive and make others wait for you?"
The bushy haired brunette turned and embraced her friend, the years melting away as she took in the familiar silver hair, the tantalizing perfume and the blue eyes. It was only when she stepped back to give Fleur a look over that she noticed a difference in her dress.
"Blue jeans and a sweater, Fleur? Whatever happened to dressing to kill?"
Fleur smiled at her old friend. "I knew I would not escape your careful scrutiny, 'ermione. It has something to do with a possible adventure later today. However, shall we sit down and enjoy a fine espresso?"
The two friends moved to sit down and once their orders had arrived, they breathed in the very familiar smells of the drink they had grown to love back in France.
"'ermione, I must confess that it was a shock to hear your voice. I thought you had forgotten all about your old friend Fleur, especially since you had moved to the United States after your fourth year at Beauxbatons," Fleur began.
Hermione's face grew a little sheepish at her friend's chiding remark. "I had too, you know, kept my steps quiet when I had left Beauxbatons and returned to England for the summer that year," she replied. "It was such a chaotic time with the Ministry first denying that the Dark Lord had returned and then finally coming out and admitting it after Cedric Diggory and his father went public with the memories of the Third Task of the TriWizard."
Fleur looked confused by Hermione's comments. "What do you mean?"
"The entire British magical community was in an uproar and a lot of British muggleborns were looking to leave the country given that the Dark Lord would be targeting them first," she replied. "We had already decided to move to the US given what had happened to me both during the Second Task and then of course Cedric Diggory's return. So Mum and Dad had already decided that they had had it with Britain, but just as our place sold, we got wind that the Wizengamot had voted to force all British magical students to finish their magical education at the school where they had started their magical studies.
"Of course, that would have forced me to return to Hogwarts and I swore I would rather be obliviated and forget all about magic than return to that school
"So, we quietly pulled up stakes and left the United Kingdom – with a little help from my former head of house Professor McGonagall. But we had to keep our location and our move quiet for at least two years until our US citizenship papers came through or the British magical ministry could perhaps have tried to force me back to Hogwarts.
"And then, new studies integrating magical and non-magical subjects, the healing of my parents, the recent birth of my brother in my last year at Great Lakes….I guess I just got so involved in my new studies and home that I forget about Europe and my old friends.
"Can you ever forgive me?"
Fleur simply embraced her old friend and as the two women hugged, Hermione felt the slight pangs of guilt melt away.
"I too must beg your forgiveness as I got so scared with what was going on back in Britain and then in working on my charms and then enchantment masteries that I forgot to contact you. Yes, I was worried about you but I felt that you were a survivor and your name did not come up on the casualty lists from the British ministry."
Hermione took a moment to digest Fleur's comments before her face took on a calculating look that Fleur was only too familiar with. Yes, the curious cat was awake and alive in Hermione now.
"Well, now that we have dispensed with the reasons why we lost contact with one another, you've got to tell me how you met Harry," she burst out.
Harry would have to pay up, Fleur decided. She had guessed that once initial greetings and apologies were dispensed with that Hermione would go right to work on the Harry question.
"Well, I met him after he saved my life – and in turn, I was the first to discover a hitherto undiscovered wizard who wanted to know why I had 'the buzz'"
Hermione looked at Fleur with wide eyes. "The buzz?"
"Yes, as you probably are aware, Harry can read auras and while he did not know what he was seeing in me, he said I was the first person he had encountered who had the same buzz as he had."
"How did he save your life?"
Fleur launched into a description of the events of that April day six months earlier and by the time she had arrived at their coffee shop meeting, Hermione's face had become both serious and animated.
"Do you owe him a life debt? How could a wizard remain undetected for so long? What did you suggest he do next? Is he being trained anywhere? Where would an adult wizard who hadn't been trained go to learn about his magic?"
"'ermione, 'ermione, plus lente s'il vous plait. Tes questions sortent comme des balles d'une mitrailleuse. Please, slow down. I'll try to answer, but when your questions are like bullets from a machine gun; my first reaction is to duck."
Hermione visibly forced herself to breathe more slowly and then she began again, this time restrained. By the time Fleur had answered her questions in some degree of depth, the time had advanced considerably and the shadows were lengthening outside.
"'ermione, I had another reason in inviting you 'ere for an espresso. I have a dinner invitation for both you and me with Harry, his family….and a Doctor Peter Alcott. Perhaps you would decide to come and then you can grill 'arry to your heart's content."
It took a few seconds for Fleur's words to penetrate Hermione's brain and then a look of disbelief crossed her face, followed by excitement.
"He did it, he did it," she began in a flurry. "I thought for a moment that he was pulling my leg and just trying to find a way to talk to me, but Harry actually did it."
"Did what?" her friend wanted to know.
"He does know Peter Alcott – this is like a dream come true," Hermione replied. "I've been wanting to meet him for some time – he is a legend around the pediatricians in the city and I thought if I could just meet with him and get a letter of recommendation that would help so much in my application to Columbia."
"Well, I guess Harry does know him – I've met him as well a couple of times. He is an old friend of Harry's family and since Harry's adoption; he has been one of Harry's family doctors.
Hermione's face grew pensive as she took in this new information. It was obvious from Fleur's comments that she had deepened her acquaintance with Harry beyond just the first day they had met – if she had a good working knowledge of Harry's family and friends, this suggested at least a good friendship if not something further. Yet Fleur did not give off the signs she had seen in the past with others – of someone marking off her territory and protecting her territory from others. Fleur was showing Hermione a genuine interest in having her share a meal with Harry's family.
The thought of meeting the man she had been trying so desperately to meet was threatening to drown out all her other fears and worries. To meet Peter Alcott could give her application to Columbia the boost it needed – and she would not turn a gift horse down.
Still she had to get some clarification of Fleur's status with Harry. For she recognized in herself the signs of awakening interest in the black haired green eyed young man. Especially if he could keep his word to her as it appeared he had.
"'ermione, are you still with me? Your face looks like you are off somewhere else – ta tete est dans la lune." Fleur interrupted her reveries.
"Pardon, Fleur. It is just that it is so rare for someone to actually keep their promise to me. In the past, people only pretended to be my friend to get me to do their homework for them or to get answers to difficult questions.
"But I am curious. Have you met the Wells family?"
Fleur smiled, suspecting where this was going. "If you might recall, the day I met Harry, I also met his mother and his youngest sister – and she is a witch with some amazing powers of her own. It was very clear very quickly that Harry's family had some idea that he was unique and different – and they were looking for some explanations into why he was different. Thus, when Harry found out that I had the same 'gift' as he did and seeing that I had already made the acquaintance of his mother and sister, he invited me down to meet the whole family. And the rest as they say is history."
"So you became the Wells family's first introduction to magic?"
"Oui, and as such, I formed friendships with the whole family. They are a welcoming family as is their community.
"This gets me to an important point in this conversation, 'ermione. 'Arry and his family are part of a special community and many lives depend on keeping the secret of this community. You are invited to meet Harry and his family, as well as his community, but I will need a witches oath."
Hermione snapped back at Fleur's words in surprise. "A witches oath? Why?"
"Because where Harry lives is magical in its own way and because many good people depend on the secret of his community." Seeing Hermione's eyes narrow in suspicion, she continued. "And, before you think this is strange, I have sworn this oath, mon pere has sworn this oath – and once he saw the community, he said he understood why."
Seeing Hermione now begin to waver, she decided to stroke the fire of her curiosity further. "And, think, the American Magical authorities have awarded this community a special status. But I can say nothing further without your oath."
Hermione was sorely tempted to just give in, but she had to be sure. "Are there any illegal activities being carried on by this community? I cannot support anything that is illegal or that hurts others."
Fleur smiled her reassurance. "'ermione, vous avez ma promesse qu'il n'y a aucun mal chez Harry. I would do nothing with something that is illegal or wrong."
"Okay," Hermione said in a rush and gave her oath. She could see Fleur's face give way in relief as the blue flash indicated the acceptance of Hermione's pledge.
"Now, 'ermione, in the words of Harry, it's time for us to go and visit and for you to find out what the rabbit hole is like."
"Rabbit hole? Are you talking about Alice in Wonderland?"
"Is that what the story is? Harry said it is some kind of English fairy tale. All I know is that there are some similarities."
Hermione was now completely confused and her confusion only grew as they exited the café after paying the bill. She knew the city in a general sense and noticed immediately that they were walking towards Central Park.
"Fleur, are you saying that Harry lives by Central Park? There are some very expensive homes there."
"'ermione, you must learn to listen when I tell you things. I said we are going 'down' to Harry's home and that it is the same as going down a rabbit hole. Harry's home is not in New York City at all – at least not above the ground."
Thoughts were racing around Hermione's mind and she tried to make sense of Fleur's comments. How could someone live in New York and yet not live in New York, let alone not above the ground? Was he living in some kind of underground shelter? Perhaps even with the goblins? That made no sense.
By now, they had arrived at the park and Fleur was walking at a brisk pace down paths towards the Central Park merry go round. Hermione found herself almost running to keep up with the French witch and she swore to herself that she had forgotten Fleur liked to move quickly. No careful sedate walking for that French woman.
She was just about ready to call a halt to this entire strange outing when she heard a familiar voice call out in a teasing tone.
"So, Hermione, Fleur convinced you to visit the rabbit hole?"
Abruptly she turned to see a grinning black-haired young man leaning nonchalantly on the edge of what appeared to be a tunnel entrance. Her surprise quickly turned to irritation as she thought of the requirement of the oath, the mystery surrounding Fleur's walk and now seeing a smiling Harry.
"Nice rabbit hole, Mr. Wells," she said, somewhat frostily. "Very funny to have Fleur take me all the way out to Central Park with the idea that you live here.
"I'm sure next that you will tell me that this tunnel is your front door?"
Fleur couldn't help giggling at first, then laughing softly. "'ermione, you have no idea. I told you that this is well worth the oath."
Harry had an answering smile on his face and it was evident to Hermione that he was attempting to hold back his own laughter. "Well, Miss Granger, in a manner of speaking, this is my front door.
"You see, Hermione, I, and my family, and the core of the community that I live with, all call the tunnels of New York City home. We even have a name for it – the World Below.
"And in case you are worried about whether or not this location is known to the Magical U S authorities, you can relax. This entire community is under special dispensation – we are called a magically hybrid community where non-magical, magical and gifted people can live together without regard to the Statute of Secrecy."
At Hermione's widening eyes, Harry smiled. "Well Fleur, I owe you $10.00. You said that she would be speechless when she found this out – at least at first."
The bushy haired brunette began to sputter at the chuckles of her two friends. The nerve of them to discuss in advance how she would react. Well, she would make sure that she would exact a ton of answers to her questions as payment and even retribution for her teasing humiliation today.
"Well, Mr. Wells," she said in a prim tone, ""I'm ready to go down the rabbit hole. But I am putting you on notice that I will exact my revenge – by questions."
Both Fleur and Harry looked at each other and Fleur shuddered. She knew how tenacious Hermione could get and she realized Harry had no idea on the force he had released today. But this was not the time to warn him as Harry had turned and had tripped the hidden catch at the back of the tunnel. With a slide, the hidden door opened and Hermione began her journey to a world beyond her ability to even imagine.
Tunnels, torches lit and the sounds of dripping water, clanging pipes and whistling winds. Hermione was so overwhelmed by the entire environmental experience that she barely registered when Harry produced a pipe and began banging in a rhythmic fashion on the pipes.
"He's signaling on ahead that we are coming," Fleur whispered in her ear as they continued their slow descent.
Legions of questions came together, formed in ordered ranks and then fell apart as a new scene or sound presented themselves to the young pre-med student. What kind of world was it down here that a young wizard could live without learning about his heritage; what kind of place would attract a young female French witch who was used to being visible above and dressing to kill – Hermione was being sucked into the rabbit hole indeed.
And then it happened.
One moment they were walking down a tunnel, looking at the sights and hearing the sounds and the next Hermione found herself falling when a small body impacted her . The cry of pain and the smell of fear permeated the tunnel and Hermione picked herself up from the dust to look down on a young waif, dressed in clothes that would have looked at home in a Renaissance fair, who was clutching her leg in agony.
"I am so sorry, miss, so sorry," the young girl cried, huddling down and clutching a leg that looked obviously hurt. "Don't hit me. I am so sorry."
Hermione's first reaction was to lay soothing hands on the young girl and she did so, using practiced hands to lay her out on the tunnel floor. Ignoring the two adult magicals with her, she began speaking slowly in a calm low voice.
"It is I who should be asking your forgiveness, young lady," she began. "If I hadn't been where I was not supposed to be, then you wouldn't have run into me.
"Here, let me just check your leg here for a moment," she continued. "What is your name?"
"Kellie," came the timid response. Then Kellie's eyes saw Harry behind Hermione and her eyes grew even wider. "I'm sorry, Harry. I guess I was just playing a game of hide and seek with Elsie and forgot that you were bringing visitors down below."
Hermione was feeling along Kellie's leg and noted her twinges as she moved her hands up the obviously injured limb. There did not seem to be anything broken, but she suspected there would be severe bruising at least. At the same time, she could hear Harry speaking to Kellie in the background and she quietly noted his changed demeanor.
"Well, Kellie, you don't need to apologize. We should have been looking out for little people racing along the tunnel ways," he said, his voice low and serious. "Can you forgive us?"
Despite the pain, Kellie quietly giggled – it was obvious that the green eyes and black hair worked with young girls as well as young witches.
Suddenly Kellie sucked in her breath – Hermione had hit an especially sensitive spot. She looked quickly at the young girl and could see she was trying to be brave, but that tears were beginning to leak from under her eyelids. Then she remembered what Harry had said – there was a special status for this community. Perhaps here, she could refer to her magic.
"Kellie, my name is Hermione and I am one of Harry's friends. I would like to take away some of your pain so that you can have your leg checked out. Would you allow me to help you?"
Kellie looked at Hermione carefully, then at Harry. When Harry gave a slight nod, then she nodded her approval.
"There will be a slight blue glow and then the pain in your leg will grow numb," the young witch said, still slowly and calmly. She could see Kellie's interest and she began a series of slight magical movements. For a few seconds, Kellie's leg glowed blue and then the young girl looked at Hermione with a look of wonder.
"The pain is mostly gone, Hermeeone," she said, stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar name.
Harry now stepped in and gently picked up the young waif. "Well, Kellie, you know what this means, don't you?"
"You get to carry me to the kitchens? That means that Elsie can't catch me now," she smiled at him and then turned to Hermione.
"Thank you, Mione."
Warmth flooded Hermione's heart as she considered that she had been able to use her magic for the first time to help someone who was sick or injured since her Great Lakes Institute days. She was still considering how it affected her as the group, now grown by one, continued on a slower pace down to the community's Hub.
Hermione kept a careful eye on her new young friend as they continued their way to the Hub. Kellie was beginning to nod off in Harry's arms – one of the side effects of the numbing charm that she had used was to put the patient to sleep. So as she watched, Harry began to tell the story of the founding of their world.
The pre-med student could now hear voices and the rush of subways as they got closer to the community's center. Soon she was catching glimpses of people moving along the tunnels or at seeming ease in chambers along the way. She noted the same blend of renaissance style clothes and clothes that obviously fit in an underground environment, but at the same time she noticed that each inhabitant seemed to take pride in individual styles – almost as if they were in a competition for who could be the most sartorially unique.
She also noticed the friendly greetings Harry and by extension Fleur received. Fleur obviously was a known quantity here. She herself attracted some curious glances, but there was no hint of reticence or suspicion in their eyes as they looked at her. Their curiosity was more benign and accepting.
It took her a few moments to realize that absent from their faces was the hard edge that living in New York gave the city's inhabitants. Life seemed to move a little slower here and there was an openness and friendliness that she had long forgotten since her days at Great Lakes Magical Institute.
All the while Harry was giving her a running commentary on the various sights and sounds they were encountering. Then he turned one corner and walked into a large spacious chamber that was well lit and had….books. Hundreds, even thousands of books – old, out of print, tattered, but books. Books lovingly maintained, open in places where it was obvious that readers had left for a short time and would return shortly to resume their acquaintance with old friends.
In simple terms, a Hermione Granger heaven.
Her opinion of Harry and his world rose dramatically upon seeing the enormous library. Obviously, living underground in New York did not mean that they were shutting themselves off from civilization and learning. They had time here for culture and for education. Her fingers itched to wander and crack some of those books open, but she had a responsibility first to the young girl she somehow considered her patient.
She ripped her eyes away from the books only to catch Fleur nudging Harry and hear her speaking to him. "It's like I told you, 'arry, you have everything you need to catch Hermione Granger's attention – good looks, great eyes and great books. Now that she knows they are here, you can be certain that she will find her way back to this place if you are not careful."
Hermione's face blushed red at Fleur's comment, but she found herself smiling at her words. Her friend knew her so well. And perhaps this evening would see time to revisit this place.
She caught movement on the opposite side of the large room near a set of circular stairs and she noticed two elderly men stepping forward from the shadows of a chamber beyond. Harry rushed over with his young passenger.
"Grandfather, Peter, we have a young patient for you. She was running along the tunnels, ran into our new guest and hit her leg on the rock wall."
The man Harry addressed as Peter signaled for him to deposit Kellie on a bench along one book covered wall and he began to roll up his sleeves. Hermione rushed over to observe and explain.
"When I got up from being knocked over, this young lady was lying on the ground next to the tunnel wall and she was holding her leg. I carefully ran my hands along her leg and noted that it was tender in two places, both below the knee. I tried to calm her down as I had been trained in my high school first aid course and then…."
Peter was looking at Hermione with an indulgent smile. It was obvious to him that she was concerned about Kellie and that she had acted as a proper first aider would. But her next words took even him by surprise.
"I used my magic to surround her injured leg with a numbing charm – something that I had seen and practiced in my magical healing course," she continued nervously. "I couldn't do anything more as I had not yet had the training to try to heal the leg."
Peter's eyes had widened slightly at Hermione's openness on what she had done, but then he smiled. "So you are one of Harry's magical friends – the one who wants to go to Columbia Medical School?"
Hermione nodded, even more nervous as it dawned on her who she was speaking to.
"Well, Miss Magical Friend of Harry, your instincts are good. Very good. You did what you could to calm the patient, elevate the injured part, and then use what knowledge you had to do what you could and no more. Well done. In fact it appears that Kellie has developed a crush on you."
It was now the turn of Hermione's eyes to go wide and look back at Kellie who had opened her eyes and was smiling at her new friend.
"Dr. Peter, she waved her hand, there was a blue glow and the pain went away," the little girl said to the now smiling doctor. She then turned back to Hermione and began chattering away.
Peter looked at Hermione who had moved a chair into place beside the bench and was now quietly talking with the excited young girl, then touched her on the shoulder. "Miss Magical, how long will the numbing charm be in place?"
"About two to three hours – she already had a bit of a nap coming down here from where the accident occurred," Hermione replied. "Her leg will still have to be looked at, but I suspect it was only severely bruised – there was no sign of a broken bone or more severe damage." She then turned back to Kellie who was pulling on her arm to turn her attention back to herself.
Peter now looked at Jacob Wells and nodded. He moved backwards and in began speaking in a low voice. "Trust Harry to find someone who's interested in medicine and who has good instincts in both diagnosis and in demonstrating good judgment."
Jacob's pride in his unorthodox grandson had only grown over the years and while he was still having difficulties adjusting to all the new changes that the past few months had wrought in his underground realm with the discovery that Harry was a magical, he could see the benefits to the community in having a magical person who was interested in non-magical medicine affiliated with their world.
"Perhaps we can finally retire if this young lady would consent to be trained by two old doddering doctors," he replied to his old friend with a bit of a twinkle.
Peter knew the underlying sentiments in Jacob's words. The older doctor had confided only recently that he was concerned about supplying medical services to the world below. Old age had finally caught up with the tunnel world's patriarch and while Vincent had many of the talents of a doctor himself, there was still the need for a human face to the tunnel world's medical needs. And then Harry had brought this obviously intelligent, compassionate and medically inclined young woman into their world.
Dr. Peter Alcott, esteemed pediatrician of New York City and a well respected member of the city's medical fraternity, in that moment decided to do more for his new "Miss Magical" friend than simply write a letter of recommendation. He decided to take her under he and Jacob's wing and while training her, hopefully entice her to enter into service for the community of Down Below.
All this of course after watching Miss Magical in action for only a few moments. He would share his decision with her later and if possible feel her out about future mentoring opportunities.
But now, he had a young girl to examine and then a dinner to attend.
"Miss Magical, I would like to invite you to observe as I make my examination of your new young friend and if you would be so kind as to keep her occupied, I can form a quick diagnosis and help calm our young patient down," he began. The answering spark of interest in Hermione's eyes told him everything he needed to know that the seduction of Miss Magical was already underway.
Standing in the middle of the library, Harry and Fleur looked at one another with a smile. "It looks like Dr. Peter has a new fan," Harry said to his French friend now with a look of satisfaction.
"I didn't know how it was going to happen, but I had a good feeling about 'ermione," she replied. "And who knows where this will lead?"
They left the library silently, knowing that Hermione was in good hands with Peter and Jacob and they moved to the adjoining Hub kitchens where a frazzled Diana was trying to rein in her two girls. Her efforts fell apart the moment Catherine's eyes fell on Fleur and Harry.
"So she's here, isn't she? Where do you have her hiding?"
Erin pulled away from her mother. "You brought her, didn't you? You even sent a message on the pipes. Where is she?"
Harry put up hands that asked for forgiveness. "We had a slight run-in with Kellie way up on the north side," he began in a note of explanation. "Kellie got injured and so Hermione decided to help numb her pain until we could bring her here – and of course, Peter was right there when we arrived. Now she and Dr. Peter are treating their patient."
Diana could only smile at Harry's explanation. "Those two young terrors have been excited about meeting your latest friend for at least an hour. I imagine that Erin is going to give Kellie a piece of her mind for meeting your new friend first. But let's gather around – it's just us, Peter and Grandfather for supper. Alex Mackenzie said he would be by later."
Harry looked around for his father and Jacob Jr. "Where's Dad and Jacob?"
"They're coming from the whirlpool – something about freshening up," Diana replied, already examining the table and making sure that everything was there. She had no worries about the meal itself – William had promised it would be one of his masterpieces even though Harry had insisted that it simply be an ordinary meal.
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Hermione, Peter and Jacob Senior. Peter was deep in a conversation with Hermione about Mary with whom they had left Kellie.
"So she has been the nurse and mother to many of these children for years," he was saying. "If you noticed, Kellie did not look worried or upset even though you were leaving her in the hospital chamber."
Hermione became suddenly aware that they had attracted an audience and took in the three females of the Wells family as well as Harry and Fleur who were looking her over with hints of a smile.
"I don't think I have seen Peter so animated about our hospital chamber for a long time," Diana said, her hint of a smile broadening into a welcoming grin. "I'm the mother of this motley crew – with the exception of Fleur, Peter and of course, Father - or as you've probably already been introduced to as Jacob Wells Senior." She was moving forward with her hand extended even as she was speaking.
Catherine who had been excited only moments before to see Hermione, now retreated to the shadows along the wall opposite the door. Diana could only shake her head – she knew she had a lot of work to do yet to help her oldest move past her shyness. But then Hermione looked directly at her daughter and gave her a slight wave at which Catherine's eyes went wide.
Sensitive and observant young woman, Diana said to herself even as she grasped Hermione's hand in welcome. "I guess my son is not the most hospitable of hosts seeing as he has not yet introduced us to one another. I'm Harry's mother, Diana Bennett Wells, and these two young ladies are Harry's sisters, Catherine and Erin.
"You must be Hermione."
The young witch nodded in response and repeated her gesture to Catherine. Then she repeated her greeting to Erin and was rewarded with a rare smile.
Harry then broke in and completed the round of introductions. "My father and my brother will be here shortly. All I ask from you, Hermione, is that when you meet my father, you keep an open mind."
Confused by Harry's comment, she looked to Fleur. Fleur's only statement was in a low tone in French. "Remember what I had mentioned earlier – about les contes de fees? Well here they become reality."
The guests gathered around the table and began enjoying a typical William supper. With the buzz of conversation, Hermione found herself reflecting on how the day had gone. From a coffee with a long lost friend to the wizard's oath to the Merry Go Round, the tunnel descent, the accident with Kellie and finally meeting one of the people she had been hoping to meet for quite some time – everything was bizarre and very much out of her ordinary experience.
But then the world of magic itself was not ordinary either.
Then she felt a presence behind her chair and turned.
Her world shifted for a brief moment. What she saw was so out of her experience in spite of having attended Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Great Lakes that she could not place what she saw.
It was as if a lion and a man had come together.
The distinctive features of a lion merged with the incredibly expressive blue eyes of a man – then she connected with the world once again.
Fleur's earlier comment about fairy tales – she knew instinctively which fairy tale Fleur had meant – one of her favorites. La Belle et La Bete, of course.
She rose, lost in the expressive blue eyes and extended her hand. "You must be Harry's father. I'm Hermione Granger."
To Vincent, it was obvious that Hermione radiated acceptance and welcome once the initial shock of her first sight of him had faded. He marveled anew at the fortune of his adopted son in that he seemed to find women of extraordinary tolerance and talent. He sensed in that moment that this woman was most likely the third link in the chain that was already forming between Harry and Fleur and he also caught the whiff of satisfaction felt by both Peter and Father as they were considering Hermione. Something about encouraging a medical apprentice.
"It is my pleasure to meet another of Harry's friends," he said, bending his head in a gesture that seemed to belong to another age, one that Hermione, with her love of books, would almost have considered courtly. His voice sent a shiver up and down her back – the low tones promised warmth, depth and welcome to the hearer.
Then the quiet moment was interrupted by young Jacob's attempting to ruffle his older brother's hair. "I see that you haven't yet met the most attractive male members of the Wells family, Miss Granger," he said as he attempted to dodge his brother's return swat.
The arrival of the last two males livened up the conversation and Hermione found herself switching conversation between Harry, Fleur, Diana, the girls, and the two doctors with Harry's father and brother acting in more as observers.
Finally, the desert was lifted from the table and Hermione could finally get up and indulge her burning desire to slide over to the library and check out the book collection of the World Below. It was here that the first of a series of guests found her.
"You understand the value of a book and know how it can change the world," Vincent began, watching in amusement as she carefully ran her hands over several older thick tomes and pulling out some at random.
She started at his voice, then smiled. "This is like paradise to someone like me who learned early that books can be friends and gateways to other worlds," she replied.
"It was a decision made early by Dr. Jacob Wells, my Father and the patriarch of this world, to have books at the center of this world," Vincent continued. "Feel free to explore and browse – I can assure you that our books and our world remain open to those who call themselves our friends."
Hermione looked deep into Vincent's eyes and then smiled her own acceptance. "I call myself privileged to call this world my friend – and I now understand why you would ask strangers to give the strongest oaths they can to protect this unique place.
"Thank you for welcoming me in more ways than just words."
Vincent's lips twitched in what for him could only be a smile. "It seems that the only danger you will pose to our world will be to our books – I fear that some may be captured by you for long periods of time.
"But then they will know that you are a friend."
With that the community's patriarch heir apparent left her and went to spend some time with his oldest daughter.
Next in the visitors making their rounds was Jacob and Peter.
"We were impressed by your quick thinking and obvious medical instincts," Peter began. "I wonder if you are related to the Drs. Granger of the West Side dental clinic?"
Hermione marveled anew at how closely this community was tied in with the world above. "They would be my parents, Dr. Alcott."
Peter gave her a genuine smile. "I have only just heard of them and I hear they are doing some good work both in their clinic and with one of the local shelters. I should have realized there was a connection there."
His face took on a more serious mien as both he and Jacob regarded Hermione. "Harry's grandfather and I have been talking. We wonder if you would like to gain some medical experience with two old fogeys like ourselves and help us with some of our medical needs in this world – under our supervision.
"It goes without saying, of course, that I will be more than pleased to write that letter of recommendation for you to Columbia."
An explosion of excitement and joy bubbled up within Hermione at that point. Not only would she have a letter that would almost guarantee her entrance to one of the nation's top medical schools, but she would also have an opportunity to learn and work with two experienced medical professionals and even use some of her magical healing skills to boot – what was not to like about this current set up. And she could even keep up her friendship with Fleur – and Harry of course.
The excitement, joy and excitement and joy just ran across her face as the two older men looked on their new protégé with pride. "I think by the looks she is giving us that her answer is yes," Peter said to Dr. Jacob.
"Hopefully she will not be so lost for words in the future," was the old patriarch's only reply.
Then he said words that changed everything for Hermione in his next breath.
"Who would have thought that accepting a British child by the name of Harry Potter and adopting him would result one day in gaining a new medical student for our world."
A/N: So? Like the ending? I hope you did :)
And if not, don't bother flaming, cos we'll just use them to roast... Toads with flowers in their mouth. ;)