Raised with Magic
Chapter Twenty one point one: She Caught her Eye
"Hermione," The voice at my door called as the sound was accompanied by soft repetitive knocks. I'd know Mum's voice anywhere, any day.
I finished my page before I answered, Really, there was only a paragraph left and people get so upset when they see me giving attention to books and not them. "Yes?" I called, interrupting the second call of my name.
The door opened and Mum came in. I took a moment to think about why she would be up here. Because, I had thought that she was reading the book that just came by mail. The one that she had been waiting for specially from Italy. Actually, I knew for a fact that she had been reading Ancient Spells from the Depths of Italy just an hour ago and she had only been on page 237, I checked. So she could not have finished by now, that would have been impossible. Even Daddy couldn't have finished that book, this quickly.
The fact that she was now here, at what was not a meal time, when she had clearly not finished her book, meant bad. Very Bad. Mum is always the one that comes to break bad news to me. I don't think Dad knows how, That or he doesn't think of me as a daughter. Which hurts, but is fair I guess. I'm having a hard time seeing him as my father too.
I sighed deeply, to her confusion, I could tell, and gave one sad look to my own book, Phoenixes and the Legends of Firebirds. Then I closed it and gave her my undivided attention. I'd rather be reading my book. Actually, I'd rather be just about doing anything else.
My Mum looked at me, just looked at me for a moment. She looks at me like she would any adult and I love her for it. "Yes. Bad News I'm afraid." Mum said dropping onto the bed besides me. It was a movement much like her daughter, Luna, and the casualness of it made me know that when I would not like what she had to tell me, I did not need to be afraid. Body language can tell a lot, I should know, I read a book about it. Twice.
I shifted down until I was laying down too, Mum spoke, "The Minister had become aware of you." She told me as she pet Leo. He had followed her in and I felt sad, because he didn't come to me and I hadn't really gotten to see him much these past few days. He hasn't really been around except to eat.
"I don't understand." I replied because honestly, I don't remember much about the first weeks I was in the Wizarding World and the way Uncle Albus always talks about my wandless magic, I thought that the Minister would have already known.
"Your case was handled by a department very independent within the Ministry. They have the power to keep the details of your circumstances classified, even from the Minister but it has come to her attention that she is not being informed about your case and it has caught her interest. She is not pleased. The department is urging us to take a meeting with her. They assure us that she too will keep your confidence. This is your choice. None of us will make you talk with the Minister or inform her of anything. She doesn't need to know. However, if you do speak with her, she will be able to give your file her stamp of approval so that no one can ever open it without your approval under any circumstances."
"Please don't make this my choice." I asked softly and I think she only heard because she was just beside me. "I hate these big choices. I love that you are willing to let me make them but I don't know enough about wandless magic, the Wizarding world, the ministry, politics or the Minister herself to know well enough to choose. I don't want to make the wrong choice just because I am grossly under informed." I was ranting and I didn't even notice. "Sure, give me five or six years to research and I'm your girl, I'll have an answer, but not now. Not today!"
"Shhh, okay. Calm down love." She shushed pulling her to me as Leo hopped off the bed. I didn't really calm down but I pretended well enough to get Mum to stop shhh-ing. "I'll talk to Albus but that means that chances are you will me taking this meeting. Now, don't worry," Apparently, I don't really pretend well enough. "Albus and I will be with you the entire time if that is the path we decide upon."
I opened my mouth, ready to ask, she spoke first, "I'll floo Albus and let him know you're on your way to the library. Minerva will likely be your best bet for finding the books you'll want."
I kissed her cheek and then was gone.