It was past curfew when Hermione approached the entrance to Hogwarts. In the open doorway stood McGonagall, her silhouette casting a shadow down the path. She stepped aside as Hermione approached the doors, closing the heavy oak behind once she'd stepped inside.
"Where is Professor Evans?"
"I can't say that I know, Professor. He had things to attend to and Victor brought me back instead."
"Victor?" her tone was disapproving.
"Victor Krum, ma'am."
"The Durmstrang champion from the Triwizard Tournament?"
"Yes, Victor was at the ball. That's why I was late actually, because after I got James's note Victor asked for one last dance and then we got distracted…" Hermione trailed off, clearly still excited.
McGonagall's became more pronounced as Hermione's explanation continued. "And when should we expect Professor Evans back? Or did he not leave word?" she asked tightly.
"He said he would be back for class on Monday morning, professor."
That worthy took a deep breath before speaking. "Very well, please proceed to your common room, Miss Granger."
"Yes, Professor."
Hermione quickly made her ways to the Grand Staircase, not in the least looking forward to the trek up to Gryffindor Tower.
As the sunlight somehow filtered in through the heavy curtains the figure in the bed stirred, searching for the warm body he was sure had previously been there. He sat up when he heard the window click, staring in that direction while his mind woke up enough to process the image. James walked back to the bed quietly and slipped in where he'd been before getting up.
"Why are you out of bed?" asked a sleepy voice, and James smiled to himself as he wound his arms around Marvolo's waist.
"I always find it hard to believe you're the Dark Lord when I see you like this."
Marvolo growled a bit at that, having finally mostly woken up. "Why were you at the window?"
"I was sending a letter."
"Don't test me."
James rolled his eyes and grinned, tightening his hold on Marvolo's waist. "I sent Miss Granger a letter because I need her to feed Wyn, I don't trust Draco to not get distracted by a mirror and forget."
The Dark Lord snorted at the mental image that created. "It could very well happen," he said mock solemnly.
James hummed. "I know we have matters to discuss…" he trailed off, fingers drawing patterns across Marvolo's stomach. The man twisted himself out of James's grip and moved so that he was straddling him.
"They can wait," he said lowly as he bent down and kissed the teen beneath him. James just moaned.
At breakfast Hermione determinedly ignored everyone who tried to talk to her, completely content with losing herself in her book. She'd given curt answers to her dorm mates the night before, not having been able to avoid them since they'd been awake when she'd returned. In the morning, however, she had dressed quickly and stalked from the dorm straight to the portrait hole, luckily not encountering many due to it being Sunday morning. She'd made her way to the Great Hall using some hidden passages she'd learned of due to having spent years with Neville and the Weasleys.
As it was, she'd managed to avoid the majority of people and was now quite content to sit alone at the end of Gryffindor table, ignoring anyone who happened to call to her. That was until a sleek gray owl landed in front of her, staring at her determinedly until she gave it her attention. Once she took in the owl she hastened to retrieve the letter, recognizing it as the same owl as the one that had been perched on Professor Evans' shoulder earlier in the week. The owl stood, dignified, as she unfastened the small scroll, flying off as soon as she had the letter in hand. She watched it fly off before smoothing out the letter.
Hermione,
As you can no doubt tell, I am still away from the school. I know that you hold a fondness for Wyn, one she reciprocates, and therefore I was hope that I could count on you to feed her this morning. To enter my quarters, simply press the letter against my outer door. It should allow you to enter, but will only work once, so do not miss your chance to open the door. Once inside call for Dobby, he knows what Wyn likes to eat.
-James
P.S. If you so please, you can stay in for quarters and explore the library once again. Since you won't be able to leave and reenter, simply call Dobby if you wish to eat or drink anything, he is most helpful.
Hermione read the letter and then finished her food, heading straight for Professor Evans' rooms. On the way there she reflected on her luck: she'd be able to avoid the never-ending questions about the night before, spend time with Wyn, and gain access to the professor's library again. This was quickly turning out to be the best weekend she'd had by far.
Hermione failed to notice the pale blue eyes watching her as she left the Great Hall, their owner having recognized the owl that brought James's letter.
James strode forward confidently, passing workers and security without halting in the least. As he approached the checkpoint just before the minister's office, a guard stopped him. Eyes widened all around the room as James came to a halt, smiling politely at the man.
"Votre identification?"
"En anglais, s'il vous plaÎt," James's accent was perfect, but the man did as asked.
"Your identification?"
"Ah, you're new are you not?"
"I've been here for two months, sir."
"I thought as much. Call out Charles, would you?" The guard just looked confused and defiant, so James looked behind him to the woman sitting at a desk. "Marie, do get Charles for me."
She stood immediately with a quick 'yes, sir' and disappeared through the door to the minister's reception room. She reappeared almost instantly with a tall brunette in tow.
"James, what a pleasure to see you!" he called, smiling charmingly. "Why are you over there?" he asked, genuinely confused as he approached from the other side of the security booth.
"He does not have proper identification," the guard said succinctly.
Charles shot him a look and the man backed away, allowing James to pass through. "I expect you're here to see the minister?" he asked when James was standing next to him. The two turned and began to walk towards the door Charles had arrived from.
"Yes, I need to have a little chat with Richard." Charles winced slightly at the words as James went through the doorway first. He sent a dark look at the guard before following into the receiving room. Soon enough James was sitting across from the French Minister of Magic, smiling pleasantly as the man struggled to not look like a deer caught in the headlights.
"James, always a pleasure," he said, just missing the pleasant tone he aimed for.
"Richard, I do believe we have some matters to discuss."
The Minister paled considerably and took a sip of brandy, thinking he was likely going to need every drop.
"You're back early."
"It's nice to see you too, Cissa," James said, handing his jacket to the waiting house elf as the door closed behind him. "Richard was quite accommodating once I made the order of matter clear to him."
Narcissa laughed as she guided James through the halls. "He's well aware of what lies hidden beneath your smile."
"I have no idea to what you might be alluding," he replied innocently, causing Narcissa to laugh again. He turned to her when they stopped, his hand on the handle. "Do tell Lucius all went well, I would tell him in person but I don't know if I'll see you again before I return to Hogwarts."
"Of course," she replied, fighting the smile trying to make itself known. James smiled at her before entering the room.
"Who is it?" a silky voice called from the study to the left.
"Who do you think, Marvolo?" James said, moving to stand in the study doorway.
The dark-haired man looked up from his desk, raising an eyebrow at James. "It went well then? You're back relatively early."
James smirked. "Of course it went well, Richard wants to keep the position I gave him."
Marvolo mock shuddered. "Remind me to never cross you."
James's smirk just widened as he plopped down into the padded chair next to the desk. "Richard won't pose us a problem and if push comes to shove he'll back us, the rest of France behind him."
"He's always been rather charismatic."
"Yes, he was a very good choice, and I saw his potential. France's position has been solidified by his actions, and they're now a force to be reckoned with. So, how were your talks with Fredrick this morning?"
"They went well enough, he asked about you."
James laughed at Marvolo's pointed look.
"Yes, Fredrick and I have had dealings in the past. A dinner here, a ball there. It's no secret."
Marvolo sighed and shock his head slightly. "I am ever so glad that your connections are my assets."
"They're why you keep me around." James supplied cheerfully.
"Among other reasons," Marvolo murmured as he sat back, eyes darkening as his eyes roamed up and down James's body.
James laughed at this and stood from his chair, walking to where Marvolo sat. When he was close enough he raised his left knee and placed it on the outside of Marvolo's thigh, his right soon to follow. He lowered himself so that he was straddling the older man's lap. "What might those reasons be? Just out of curiosity."
"Going to be the death of me," Marvolo muttered lowly as James leaning forward to seal their lips together.
James laughed into their kiss.
"James got back early, the French minister was easily persuaded," Narcissa announced as she entered the drawing room. Lucius looked up at his wife, eyes leaving the heavy book in his lap.
"That was indeed quick. I assume he went to see our Lord?"
Narcissa laughed as she nodded. "He said he wasn't sure that he'd see you before he left in the morning, so I doubt we should expect our Lord to make an appearance either."
"Naturally." Lucius smirked slightly.
"I think our Lord just about has him on that short leash you mentioned."
"Come now, Narcissa, you know we can't assume anything until it is formally announced."
"Lucius, have you ever seen them together?"
"Oh, it's obvious enough, but it still isn't official. I doubt that will happen until after we win this war, and only then if James allows him to."
"They could always keep it to the inner circle, that's small enough and will at least keep my sister in line."
"She's still throwing herself at our Lord's feet?"
"Really Lucius, it's hard to miss," she said, raising and eyebrow at her husband.
Hermione opened the outside door to James's rooms, intent on murdering whoever was pounding on it.
"Ganger what on earth are you doing here? You have no right to be in his rooms while he's away!"
Hermione just gaped at Draco as he stalked past her into the sitting room, leaving her standing in the doorway, stunned.
"I could ask you the same question, Malfoy! I have permission, you do not!" She turned to face him, slamming the door closed.
He sniffed haughtily. "I always have permission to enter James's rooms."
"If that were true he'd have told you how to get in," she pointed out shrewdly.
"Then how did you get in here?"
"He sent me a letter with permission."
"And why would he give you permission?"
"He wanted me to feed Wyn." She said, gesturing to the little dragon that was observing them from her perch atop a cushion. "So what's your reason for being here?"
"To use his library, of course. The school one is mostly useless."
Hermione stared at him with a mixture between shock that he wanted to use the library and indignation that he had insulted the school library. "The library?" she asked, stunned.
"You're not the only one that reads, Granger," he said, looking somewhat offended.
"I just…what were you looking for?"
"An account of in-depth spellwork found in Brazil."
"Weaving the Waves?"
Draco paused and looked at her for a moment before answering. "Yes," he said slowly.
"I'm in the process of reading that! I just got to the part where he discovered the native's web-weaving techniques in relation to power transference!"
Hermione began talking about it excitedly with Draco, who interjected his opinions on the book, despite the fact that they'd been ridiculing each other moments before.
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! There were more than usual and I really appreciate it! (I also realized that I hadn't said thank you for any previous reviews. Sorry!) Please let me know about your thoughts on this chapter too!