A/N: Shortish chapter. Still making our way to the boys. There will be one more chapter after this set in modern day but I promise it will be a longer one. I hope you enjoy and leave some love or constructive comments! Thank you all for reading my little plot bunny.
"Let me get this straight. Kingsley is sending you across the pond, on your own, for no one knows how long, with the suspicion that there is potential for trouble? That's ridiculous!" Harry mussed up his already unruly hair in frustration. "I'm going to talk to him about this. You can't be doing this alone."
Hermione placed a hand on his forearm to stop his charge towards the fireplace and activating the floo. "Harry, I don't like it any more than you, but he's the Minister and this is my field of study. It makes sense to send me. I don't like the idea of not having backup but too many people would call too much attention. And really it's not like it will be difficult to come visit," she placated with a rueful smile. "You're just going to help me tell Ron."
Harry chuckled and patted her hand. "You're on your own there. Ron's not going to like this at all."
"I'm not going to like what?" At least that's what they could only guess Ron said. By the looks of the snacks he was inhaling while talking to them he had come in through the kitchen. Ginny always seemed to channel her mother when things started to bother her and the minute Hermione had told them her new assignment she had been off baking.
"Kingsley is sending her to New York City on Monday to help with some old device they discovered," Harry blurted out with any preamble. "By herself! For as long as the Americans say they need her."
"Bloody hell! Mione, tell me Harry's just having a laugh." Hermione sighs and shakes her head. "Bollocks!" Ron plopped down hard on to the couch.
"Really, you two!" she snapped at the pair of them, hands on her hips. "It's not like I'm leaving you two forever. You both are just acting ridiculous. For all we know it could be a rather simple matter and I'll be back in a week."
"Or it could be months! Knowing our luck you'll uncover some crazy new magic or diabolical plot to rule the world. Hermione, we haven't split up like this since our summer hols at school." Hermione just rolled her eyes at Ron's whining.
All three jumped as the library doors swung open and Ginny stomped in with a plate piled up with cookies. "Honestly, stop being drama queens, you big babies. We don't have to like it but this is a great opportunity for Hermione. So stop your pouting and wish her well. Just think how much fun it will be to go visit her over there. Hermione, I expect to have an invite as soon as possible. And I expect to do more than just visit museums."
With a smirk at her brother and her fiancé, Ginny sat down on Harry's lap. "Besides, you both need to get over it so you can help her break the news to Mum."
The three friends looked at each other and just groaned. "Well, that settles that." Harry patted Ginny's leg and smiled up at her. "We're heading to the pub."
The weekend had flown by too quickly for Hermione's peace of mind. After Harry rounded up all their friends, the group had stayed out late into the night. Never before had they been more grateful to be wizards and have access to a hangover cure then they were that morning. Giving herself a little recovery time, Hermione spent the rest of Friday packing everything she may need and more.
Harry, ever the worrier, had forced her to take a two-way mirror, a large sum of money from his vaults, and even his Invisibility Cloak. At one point they had butted heads when he tried to insist she take their old tent. It had irked her but she reluctantly agreed after Ginny pulled her aside to explain that this is all Harry knew how to help her when they couldn't be there. Ron was still trying to figure out how to possibly get transferred closer to be nearby in case of an emergency.
Ginny and Harry were kind enough to take Crookshanks in while she was away. As much as she would love to have her familiar with her Crooks was just getting too old. She didn't want to put the stress of traveling on him and knew her friends would spoil him enough that Crooks probably wouldn't even miss her. Once she had him settled at Grimmauld Place, Hermione spent Friday and Saturday packing and storing her things away.
With everything done and the last few errands handled, Hermione left for a visit to the Burrow. Molly, predictably, protested the idea of one of her children being so far away. She thought it unseemly for her young, single daughter to be heading across the globe with no family to watch out for her. Arthur gently placated his wife, reminding her that Charlie was in Romania still whole and healthy so there was little doubt that Hermione would manage on her own.
They finally made the suggestion of inviting the family round for a proper sendoff that hushed Molly's protests. There was still disapproving murmurs as she sent out the invites for a Sunday brunch, but at least she stopped plotting to send a howler to Kingsley.
As with all Weasley gatherings, it was loud and chaotic with too much food and plenty of laughter. Hermione soaked up the love this family shared. She was going to miss this while she was away. Despite tough patches during school, the Weasley's hadn't hesitated to take her in as one of their own. While they could never replace her parents, Hermione was thankful she had them to help fill that little empty part of her heart. They all had tears in their eyes as Hermione said her goodbyes to the people who had become her second family.
Carrying her black messenger bag, and a small suitcase Hermione made her way through the Ministry, eventually finding herself in front of the Minister's office. Normally all international travel must go through the Transportation Department but this time she'd be leaving straight from the office. Kingsley wanted one last briefing before she met her contact from the US.
Nodding to the secretary, Hermione marched through the doors knowing she was still wearing a thoroughly displeased look.
"Good morning, Miss Granger. Thank you for the prompt arrival. We have a few moments before your liaison arrives." The Minister placed a folder on the desk and slid it towards her.
"This is all the information I have been able to source for you about the concerning activities. You will see some have been strictly in the Muggle world but we have seen this pattern before. People have gone missing, political opponents disappearing or resigning their campaigns, and unexplained violent confrontations."
Hermione threw him a look, "Are you sure that it's not just normal happenings in America? Things have been weird after that alien invasion."
"I'd rather not leave it to chance, Miss Granger. Some of the missing are prominent Muggleborns and their families. Keep that file on you, but do not share it with anyone until you are absolutely sure they can be trusted."
Hermione slipped the file into her bag as someone knocked on the office door. "Minister, Mr. Henderson from MACUSA is here. Should I show him in?"
Kingsley waved his hand to have her show him and stood. Extending his had he greeted the older gentleman with a firm handshake. "Welcome Mr. Henderson. I appreciate you joining us. Allow me to introduce Miss Hermione Granger. I'm sure she will be a great help to your research team."
She stood and shook his hand but the man put in no effort to match her grip, and removed his hand quickly, giving her a cool look. He had to be in his fifties or sixties. His handshake had been weak and limp. All she could think about was her father's preaching that a person's handshake reflected their character. This was going to be a long trip before it had even started.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Henderson. I look forward to working with your team. Has there been any new developments since the MACUSA first reached out to us?"
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Granger." Hermione hid a chuckle because his voice sounded anything but pleased. "I've heard many praises for your work. Our department looks forward to this collaboration."
Taking his seat, Mr. Henderson answered her question as if Kingsley had been the one to ask. "I have not been informed of any new developments. The main purpose of this meeting is to settle all paperwork before you join us stateside. We wish your visit to be as seamless and as quiet as possible."
His forced smile put Hermione on edge. So the Americans didn't like the idea of seeking outside help. The man passed a stack of papers to her. "Here are your travel papers and wand registration form. We have provided you with the appropriate identification materials. Due to the nature of this collaboration we have designed these specifically to adapt to whatever time or region you may find yourself."
Kingsley and Hermione made eye contact. Hermione lifted her eyebrow in question and he just shook his head telling her to drop it for now. "Accommodations and transportation to and from have been arranged and you will find the information in your packet. Due to the nature of this partnership we ask for strict confidentiality and require you to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Minister Shacklebolt has assured me that this should not be an issue."
Hermione signed the paper before she accepted the information packet that was passed to her. There was an envelope inside that she assumed held the keys to her new residence. "Any other matters you may wish to discuss can be addressed once we reach New York." Bureaucrats and their endless paperwork drove her mad.
"Miss Granger, I'm sure you will have everything well in hand. Do be safe and make sure you some time to enjoy yourself. Try and actually get away from the books every now and then." Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled fondly at her friend before leading her liaison out of the office and to the International Travel Department. It would be a quick trip to France before using a portly to travel to New York City.
Hermione couldn't place it but something about this man didn't sit well with her. As they walked, he seemed too familiar with the Ministry's confusing layout and kept trying to subtly watch her.
She had never become use to being stared at since the war. The magical community had an unhealthy fascination with the so-called Golden Trio. Just running errands could be a tedious affair. There was something different about Mr. Henderson's quick but constant looks. There seemed to be a touch of anger and malice.
Every new piece of this tip was making Hermione resent Kingsley for the lack of prep and information. She sighed as she shifted her bags and sent a silent prayer to any higher power to grant her patience and keep her breathing. Why did it feel like she was channeling Harry Potter?