Hello everyone! So sorry it's been so, so, so long... :( But thank you for all your reviews! I got a lot of good ideas from them, and I had a lot to think about. Keep them coming! And enjoy.

I do not own Harry Potter or Mahou Sensei Negima.

Chapter III: Hermione

Hermione set her small bag on the floor of her temporary room (where it thumped loudly. The spell that she had first used during their search for horcruxes came in handy during long stays.) and sunk into the comfortable armchair. The Leaky Cauldron hadn't changed much since her schoolgirl days, with Tom the innkeeper still doddering about down in the pub. It had, however, added one useful amenity: the direct passage to Hogwarts through a painting, somewhat similar to the one in the Hog's Head. The passage was privy to the faculty of Hogwarts, which is why Hermione and her two friends were staying at the Leaky Cauldron, as they were now-

"Temporary Ambassador and Supervisor of non-Wizard magic folk," Ron read off his badge as he entered their room. "Bit wordy, isn't it?"

"I think it's fine-"

"Says the one who made SPEW," Ron muttered.

Hermione ignored him. "-and I thought that Negi and his friends were very nice, although I wasn't expecting them to be so young. It won't be hard for us to get along with them. Although, Harry," she added as he followed her husband into the room, "you seemed a bit tense."

"I'm fine." Harry replied shortly.

Ron and Hermione just looked at him and waited; their years of friendship had taught them how to deal with Harry when he went… well, angsty on them, although he hadn't in a while. Harry saw both of them watching him and couldn't help a slight scowl. "It's just… well, they were looking down on us. You both saw."

Hermione thought back to the morning's meeting.

"Allow me to formally introduce you to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger. Mr. Potter I believe you know." Professor McGonagall said, nodding to each of them. "Oh, forgive me- it's Mrs. Weasley now." She gave a rare smile to her former student before turning to their guests. "They'll be assisting you with anything you might need during your stay here."

"It's such an honor to meet you! I've heard a lot about your adventures and your great accomplishments." Negi Springfield gave an enthusiastic bow. "Um! Excuse me, is it true that wizardry doesn't work well with electronics? I researched a little and-"

One of his company, a twin-tailed redhead, cleared her throat.

"Oh- sorry, these are- let me introduce my friends. This is Fate Averruncus, Chisame Hasegawa, Kotarou Inugami, and Asuna Kagurazaka. We'll be in your care."Negi gestured to his companions.

Hermione thought they were a very strange group, and Hermione had seen many things strange. She couldn't help but stare; there was a thin boy with white hair and a piercing stare, examining the wizards, judging them, just as she was studying his company. There was a girl with glasses, looking simultaneously uncomfortable and ticked off. There was a boy with a somehow wild appearance, and the redhead who had coughed. The two girls gave a small bow at their introduction. The boys did not.

"It's our pleasure." Hermione said. She couldn't resist asking, "are all of you mages?"

This question seemed to disrupt Chisame Hasegawa."I am not," she said, through clenched teeth, "a mage. I am a regular human."

"Blimey," Ron blurted, "a muggle? What are you doing with this lot?"

"Weasley!" McGonagall hissed.

"I ask myself the same question every day." Chisame muttered almost inaudibly. Kotarou Inugami laughed, his booming guffaw echoing about the Great Hall.

"What's a muggle?" the red-haired Asuna Kagurazaka asked. The bells in her hair tinkled with the tilt of her head.

"It's the term wizards use for non-magic folk." Hermione explained before plunging on with her next question, "I'm curious about the basis of your spellwork; do your verbal spells have latin roots or-?"

"Mrs. Weasley, I think you'll have more time for that later, our guests must be tired after their journey." Professor McGonagall said, giving her that stern eye. "Mr. Springfield, I will escort your party to your rooms."

After that, the Headmistress had shewn Negi and his party to their rooms, and Hermione had left with Ron and Harry to get settled in at the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione exchanged a glance with Ron.

"Dunno, mate, they just seemed really curious if you ask me." Ron shrugged.

"I'm not saying they're dangerous," Harry said quickly, seeing his friends' faces, "I'm just… I just think we should be on guard."

"They're not dangerous, they can't be older than sixteen!" Hermione said. "I, for one, am very interested in their history, and from what I've heard, Negi's plan for the elevator actually sounds a little promising."

"Hermione!" Ron interjected, "That mad plan means we have to expose ourselves to muggles! They're nice and all, but he must be mental if he thinks we're going to go along with that."

"And what's wrong with that?" Hermione said, flaring up suddenly. The boys froze and stared at her. "It might be for the best. Maybe then I wouldn't have to keep my parents out of everything anymore."

There was an awkward silence.

"Er," Harry said.

"No, sorry," Hermione sighed, "It's just been a busy day. I think I'll go for a walk."

She walked past the shops of Diagon Alley, looking in the windows but not really paying attention. There was a potion to cure acne on sale for two sickles off, books on how to heal bones faster than ever, and all sorts of trinkets that most wizards wouldn't really consider useful. A self stirring stove pot. An object locator. A nightmare eater.

Her dad had darkish circles under his eyes the last time she had visited. He probably wasn't getting enough sleep. She thought it might be about time he retired. Oh, and her mum had burned herself cooking pot pie. Hermione secretly cast a number of charms around the house after that had happened, just to save them the inconvenience.

She hadn't meant to get worked up. The thing about exposing magic to muggles hadn't been on her mind, really, and she knew it was probably a really dangerous thing to attempt. Just, sometimes she thought it might be wonderful.

Which it is, as we know since Akamatsu started his new series UQ Holder. I am so glad he decided to expand on Eva's story, she's one of my favorite characters!

Next chapter will be Negi and co. I know this is a lot of dialogue and not much action right now, but I promise there will be some! Please review and let me know what you think, your reviews make my life worth living :)