Chapter 36! Woooop!

Disclaimer: Not mine!

-o-

Chapter 36 – Hopefully

The group that had killed servants and tortured the elven girl had been judged.

Judged, and beheaded. Good riddance.

The servants had treated Hermione differently after that. They had apparently been rather surprised when the murdering bastards got what they deserved, something that resulted in equally surprised looks in Hermione's direction.

Hermione had, after all, delivered a rather detailed testimony, and had noticed the elves in the shadows, observing the proceedings.

A few days later, she had begun discovering small changes. Changes that made her puzzled more than once.

How did they know what was her favourite tea?

How did they know she preferred red grapes over the green ones?

And how the hell could they know that she liked the carrots slightly crispy?

It couldn't be just coincidental, could it?

Definitely not, she thought as an elf placed a plate of toast in front of her. Two pieces of toast with butter, and a tiny bowl of jam on the side instead of on the toast. Her favourite tea, with one slice of lemon, and just the perfect amount of sugar.

Hermione gave the servant a gentle look. "This is lovely," she said softly. "Ma serannas, da'len."

The servant girl actually blushed, and gave Hermione a shy smile before hurrying away.

-o-

"I'm getting ready to just track down Flemeth myself," Hermione said one evening as they were gathered in the war room. "This waiting is driving me insane." Shaking her head, she continued. "Then again, when I finally do face her, I have no idea what to do. I have prepared myself for several scenarios, but other than that, I just have to wing it. Lovely."

"Have you worked on trying to break the bond?"

Hermione shook her head. "I have actually been doing just the opposite. I think I can use the binding against her. Hopefully."

"I hate it when people add 'hopefully'," Dorian quipped, "it's never a good omen, no?"

Hermione chuckled. "I've just learned to not trust that it will work without actually testing it first. The theory is sound, but theory is just theory, after all."

"Why is it that whatever you say; it seems like it comes from experience?"

Hermione gave Cullen a surprised look. "What?"

He gazed at her for a moment. "Theory is just theory, after all. True. This is something rather obvious for those with a healthy dose of common sense, something you truly have. But…there is something about the way you say it that makes it feel like you have personal experience in the matter."

Hermione shrugged. "Life has taught me a thing or two, I'll admit to that."

"Will you ever share the story with us?"

Hermione turned to look at Leliana. "It's a long and complicated story, to say the least."

"And I would gladly listen, no matter how long."

"You had a vital role in a war, is this correct?"

Hermione gave Cassandra a puzzled look. "Well, yes. No. I don't quite know how to explain it."

"I believe 'yes' would be the correct answer." When Hermione gave Solas a jaded look, he gave her a small smile. "You downplay your own importance rather frequently, Lethallan."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think it's the world over-playing my importance," she said before adding something she instantly regretted. "Even the way I'm described in my biography – which I did approve because it does tell the story rather correctly – feels ridiculous."

"What?!"

Hermione groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose when she heard the intrigued enthusiasm in Varric's voice. "Oh, god, why did I say that? Please forget I said that."

No one wanted to forget she said that, and approximately two hours later, Cullen, Cassandra, Leliana, Trevelyan, Varric, Dorian, Blackwall, Josephine, even Solas had a copy of her bloody biography.

Lovely.

-o-

"Wait," Cullen said two days later as he looked up from the book, "you were Minister of Magic? Isn't the Minister the one who rules the country?"

Why did I give them the books? Hermione thought as she sighed. "Well...yes."

Trevelyan chuckled. "Again; why haven't we made you Inquisitor yet?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Except for the fact that I would make a rubbish Inquisitor? I can't close rifts. And as I am led to understand, the rifts are a rather big deal."

The Inquisitor just huffed. "I'm pretty sure you could find a way, if you just wanted to."

Perhaps I could, Hermione thought, but did not say the thought out loud.