Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Hermione walked down the cobble stone path to the door. She was wearing a cobalt blue one piece shorts-jumper, with a sleek, shiny gold belt around her narrow waist. The sleeves and shorts were cuffed, giving the outfit a more formal feel. Her shoes were a pair of cognac colored peep-toe ankle booties, and she had twisted her hair up into a messy bun and walked out the door. She was confident that confronting them was the absolute right thing to do, but while she got dressed, she mentally prepared her "speech".
The weather was light and warm, with just a hint of a cooler breeze ruffling tendrils of her hair. There were dark skies alight with bright stars and a moon so round and so big, she could see the craters marking the surface. It made her walk unhindered as she was able to clearly see the path ahead, leading to the large, elegant wood door.
Right as she lifted her hand to knock on the door, it opened. "Yes, Miss?" The house elf said as it bowed.
"Hello. Adrian Pucey, please? I am Hermione Granger." At the mention of her name, the elf's head shot up and it stepped back. Hermione interpreted the elf's reaction as being conflicted with the fear of being freed and its obligation to receive guests.
Hermione quickly assuaged his fear. "I do not have any articles of clothing to offer you, Mr. ..?" She'd meant to say it kindly, but it came out a bit rushed, with an air of frustration. She still held the rather onerous reputation from SPEW during her Hogwarts years. It was irritating at times.
"Poldark, Miss."
Hermione nodded. "I am not here to free you, Mr. Poldark. No need to worry."
The house elf looked dubiously up at her and she was not certain that she read his expression correctly. In the next moment, she was put to rights, as it were.
Seemingly weighing his words carefully, Poldark spoke slowly so as not to offend the famous Muggleborn witch. "It is not the privilege of random witches and wizards to free house elves from their bonds to a family. It is only the right of the House in which the elves serve," he explained.
Hermione's eyebrows lifted to her forehead. "Well that explains a lot," she replied and hoped that he would continue speaking to her, however brief.
"I regard you as someone quite persistent, as do most of the elven community, who remember your efforts to see us independent. There is much that you did not and do not know of eleven magic and our traditions." The last was said with an air of finality, and he still looked as if he did not trust her completely. "Follow me, please."
It only took her a second to gather herself and file their conversation away for another time. Right now, she had a job to do.
Hermione entered the large foyer gingerly, trying to not make a cacophony of noise with her heeled shoes. The hard scape of the flooring seemed to echo with these shoes wherever she walked, but she didn't want to look like a newborn calf either, so she squared her shoulders and followed behind the elf, regardless of the echoing sounds of her heels.
Upon hearing the murmuring of deep voices as she approached, she thought about pausing in the doorway to eavesdrop, then thought better of it. Nothing good ever came from snooping. She followed the elf into a sitting room and watched as knowledge of her presence dawned on each wizard. Poldark waited until each wizard stood then made the introduction.
"Miss Hermione Granger, gentle wizards."
Hermione quirked her eye brow and smirked as she watched the elf walk away with his head held high.
When she returned attention back to the wizards, they were still standing and were appraising her with the strangest of expressions. Draco and Marcus were both frowning at her in confusion. Adrian looked like he would fall at her feet at any moment to beg forgiveness and Blaise was smirking like he knew she would seek them out. She suspected that the reason behind her arrival would not be consistent with his reasoning.
Whatever they were thinking, she would wait until they returned to themselves and asked her to sit or some other pleasantry. She was a lady after all and these were pureblood wizards. Manners were practically encoded into their DNA. Hermione inhaled and quietly cleared her throat. Seconds went by, and she thought that she could actually feel Blaise and Marcus' gaze roam over her skin. She was about to roll her eyes, but was saved by Elizabeth strolling in and stopping abruptly.
"Hermione?" she asked, confused for a moment. "It's lovely to see you again."
Hermione smiled and leaned into the hug Elizabeth offered, with side to side air kisses. The elder witch pulled the younger to the settee to sit. "Did Adrian request tea?" She asked Hermione, but looked at the men still dumb struck. It was then that Adrian snapped out of whatever trance he was in and shook his head. "No, mother. I'm uncertain what came over me. Please forgive my rude behavior, Hermione."
Hermione nodded and Marcus called for tea.
"What brings you, Miss Granger?" It was Elizabeth.
Hermione pursed her lips, looked down in her lap and then back up to Elizabeth. "I felt like I needed to set some boundaries. I hope you can forgive the series of unannounced visits on my part lately."
Elizabeth laughed and Hermione thought it was the loveliest sound she'd ever heard. "Well then I shall leave you to it!"
Elizabeth walked out with a giant smile on her face and a heart as hopeful as a rainbow's message. This witch would set them straight and maybe she could look forward to a daughter in law and perhaps some grand babies.
OoO
Sipping her tea and hiding the smile that threatened to weaken her position, Hermione watched each wizard before setting her cuppa down and straightening her spine.
"You should know that I adore the attention that you have given me and I would like to thank you for making my return just that much brighter."
She paused for effect. It worked, she knew it when Draco cleared his throat and said, "Buuuut?"
"But I am not a shiny new toy with which you can play at your leisure. I would appreciate your friendship," she paused then and tilted her head in flattery as their expressions, however subtle, fell into disappointment, then added, "to start."
They each nodded slowly; Adrian watched her with a keen eye, so she directed her next statement towards him. "You may not regard me as your possession nor do I need the unique criticism of a fatherly authoritative figure in my life, yes?" she urged.
Adrian took a slow breath and pursed his lips. "Yes," he agreed.
After a moment, the group of wizards each came to their conclusion and the mood lifted from morose to resolve. Silently, mentally, each wizard promised himself that he would be the one for her, but first he must pull out in front of the rest, so that she may see what was as clear as the pert little nose on her face.
Draco flopped back in the grand armchair where he sitting. "I've never been friends with a girl before!" he declared.
Hermione furrowed her brows. "Pansy."
"She's not a girl!" Marcus added, making the others chuff in humor.
Hermione lifted a perfectly manicured eyebrow and stood. "Well, I am a witch, and I would like to get to know you as friends. So," she paused a moment to gather her clutch, and set her cup and saucer on the tray, "Figure it out."
Blaise stepped forward and held out his elbow. "Allow me to walk you to the door, milady."
She giggled at his formality and placed a delicate hand on his arm. "Thank you, kind sir." They stood for a moment smiling at each other then she turned and bowed her head slightly to the rest of them. "Have a lovely evening."
When they reached the foyer, Blaise was about to speak, but was interrupted by Adrian. "Lunch tomorrow, Hermione?"
Though Hermione's stomach flip flopped, she stepped back from Blaise and smiled in apology. "I'm sorry, Adrian, I'm busy."
He was about to open his mouth to ask what could she be possibly doing that was more important than he was, but thought better of it. "The day after?"
"Busy."
He harrumphed. This witch was going to make him both pay for his previous gaffes and chase her. Well, he thought, challenge accepted!
"The day after that then. Surely you can carve out a measly hour for lunch two days from now?"
Her eyes, sparkling with mischief, looked at the other wizards. "Perhaps. I'll owl you. Good night."
OoO
"You just left afterwards?" Minerva asked over tea the next day.
Hermione nodded, sipped her tea and pondered the entire situation.
"Lady Flint requested an interview with me a few weeks ago. She briefly described the magazine's endeavor and wants to do a piece on, and I quote, 'powerful and successful witches'. I agreed. It will be nice to have witches being favored for more than their sex appeal-"
Minerva McGonagall was interrupted by a deep voice laced with sarcasm. "There's more?" Severus asked, walking into the office with a billow.
Hermione and Minnie pursed their lips in irritation then nodded in greeting. Minerva's greeting was abrupt, but her eyes met his and Hermione noted there was a moment. She almost giggled with glee at their rather clinical romance. Both of them deserved the happy ending.
"Don't be a misogynist, Professor." Hermione scolded with humor. Though, with all of his support of her and rumors that he had been a very attentive male figure for the witches in Slytherin, she guessed that he was a bit of a closeted feminist.
"Miss Granger," he greeted and set two books on the table next to the tray of tea for her. They were the books on courting rituals in pureblood society and expectations for witches.
"Thank you, Sir."
"You may call me Severus, since you know far too much about my – comings," he said 'comings' while lewdly eying Minerva, "and goings." The elder witch blushed and turned her eyes to her cup.
Hermione just shook her head in humor.
Snape invited himself to sit down across from the two and took the liberty to pour himself a cup of tea. "I hear you are making quite a splash upon your return. Ladies Nott, Rosier, Pucey and Malfoy are all twittering after you to act as senior editor for their magazine. Is this correct?"
Hermione was a little surprised that he knew as much as he did, and she also knew he'd never reveal his source of information. "Yes. I have agreed and to be honest, I am both flattered that they have included me and excited about the prospect." Severus nodded in approval and Minerva smiled at her still-favorite student.
"They are all courting you, Miss Granger, it would be wise to read the fine print on both your contracts and adhere to the guidelines set in the books given to you today. They are playing for keeps," Severus warned.
Hermione put her cup down. "Well that's ominous, Professor- Severus – Sir. And please call me Hermione. You don't think they would add a marriage clause in a work contract, do you?" She fairly shrieked. She liked the attention, but marriage was a bit of an escalation at this point.
"Stranger things have happened, and Severus is right. Just be aware, Hermione," Minnie advised then went on to finish her tea and pour another, adding a dark splash from a cask hidden in her inner robes.
Severus huffed. "Already, Minnie?"
Minerva looked slightly affronted. "It's is after 12 pm, Severus!"
He conceded the point and held out his cup for her to add a splash to his too.