Disclaimer:
Three chapters in and I'm already bored writing this bit. I do not own this world, I only play in it. I make no money from this. And for a more complete disclaimer, please refer to the previous chapters.
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Morning found Hermione back in the Infirmary, with Madam Pomfrey running full diagnostic spells on her.
"Well, I must say that you are pretty well recovered, considering your health just a week ago."
"I was perfectly fine a week ago," Hermione pointed out.
"Don't you even start with me, young lady," Poppy Pomfrey said with a smile. "You were dehydrated, deficient in almost all nutrients, and cursed. Actually, you're still cursed."
As she talked, the school matron unwrapped the bandage covering Hermione's left arm, cleaned off the healing paste covering her skin, and examined the slowly healing scars.
"Well, at least this is looking much better."
Hermione nodded as she looked at her arm. The scars were still very much visible, lines etched into her skin. But the redness and puffiness from a week ago had disappeared. The Mediwitch tutted and huffed as she studied the old wounds, her fingers hovering above the skin. Hermione couldn't help and smile at the older witch.
"Are you taking all your potions?"
"Yes, all the Nutrient Potions, and the Pain Potions, and the Dreamless Sleep…"
"All right, all right, Miss Granger. I'm just making sure."
Hermione chuckled and tried to sit still as Pomfrey cast the last of her spells on her.
"Well, I suppose you're actually much better than could be expected. How often do you suffer spasms from the knife scars or from the after-effect of the Cruciatus?"
"Not as often as I used to."
"Now, now, Miss Granger. If you really want me to allow you out of Hogwarts, you will have to give me a better answer than that."
"I would say only once or twice a week," Hermione finally sighed. "And if you're about to ask how bad the episodes are, I would rate them a four out of ten, with ten being under the Cruciatus."
Pomfrey nodded and started to jot down a few notes on Hermione's chart. The younger witch took the opportunity to redo her bandage, reapplying the paste Professor Snape had prepared to help with the cursed scars, and rewrapping the long strip of gauze around her left forearm.
"So, does that mean you will allow me out of Hogwarts for the day?"
"As long as you promise me to keep exertions to a minimum, yes," the Mediwitch said with a wag of her finger. "You should keep in mind that all our efforts could come to nothing if you were to get into a duel, or something of the sort."
"I never asked to fight this battle, you know," Hermione mumbled. "It just turned out I had to."
Poppy Pomfrey nodded before she continued. "Now, don't be gone for longer than a couple of hours please. I don't want you to come back exhausted. And I would ask that if you even think that something will happen, you Apparate away."
Hermione nodded and Madam Pomfrey nodded back. The younger witch hopped off the bed and smiled as she tugged a bit on the bandage on her left arm.
"You should get to breakfast. Make sure you have a full meal. And don't forget any of your potions tonight!"
Hermione smiled and left the Infirmary. Life seemed to want to smile at her for the moment. After all, Voldemort had been defeated, the Muggleborn Registration Act had been repelled, her health was as good as it could be, all things considered, and although she hadn't finished her Hogwarts education, she had already received a job offer. Fair enough she had to pass on it, but didn't that mean more would follow when she had her NEWTs? And now that Madam Pomfrey had given her permission to finally get out of the Castle, she would visit George, get a new wand, help out with the Wards as much she could, and set about finding her parents.
Hermione wasn't surprised to find only Professors McGonagall and Snape at the breakfast table this early in the morning. The two of them were sat side by side and had obviously been talking in hushed tones before she entered. Undeterred by the sudden silence, Hermione approached them.
"Good morning, Professors. I was wondering if it would be all right for me to visit Diagon Alley today?"
"You're not a student right now, Miss Granger," McGonagall said with a smile. "You're free to come and go as you please. That is, as long as Poppy thinks it won't set you back."
"I have just been cleared by her, actually. Do you have anything I could pick up for you while I'm in London?"
The two Professors exchanged a glance.
"I know that Madam Pince was writing a list of books she knew would have to be replaced, but I don't think she has quite finished it," Minerva said as she glanced at her colleague.
"Yes, Minerva," Professor Snape said with a shake of his head. "We will need to resupply the Potion stores, but I will visit Slug and Jiggers myself. Although I'm sure Miss Granger would only secure the best ingredients for the school, she does not have the power to get the best deal out of them."
"Maybe you could go with Hermione today."
The younger witch nearly took a step back at her Head of House's suggestion. And she watched as Professor Snape glared at the older witch.
"I am no babysitter, Minerva!"
"Miss Granger needs not of a babysitter. However, another friendly wand nearby can only be a good thing. Neither of you have been out of Hogwarts since the Final Battle. Through no fault of your own," McGonagall hastily added as Snape threw her a narrowed-eyed glance. "The Order has secured your freedom until your trial, and the story of your true allegiances has been circulated. But it still makes you a target, Severus. As for you, Miss Granger, I wouldn't be surprised if you were to be mobbed as Harry and Ron have been when they have been seen in public. I would prefer if you went together."
Hermione threw a look at Professor Snape, to see him watching her with a raised eyebrow. The young witch shrugged and gave him a hesitant smile.
"Very well, Minerva. If only to stop your incessant prattling…"
Hermione tried to turn her laugh into a loud cough, but judging by Snape's raised eyebrow and McGonagall's grin she had failed in her endeavor. The three ate their breakfast in relative silence until others started to trickle in. As her friends finally entered the Great Hall, looking only half-awake, Hermione saw Professor Snape stand from the corner of her eye. She stood as well and quickly went to meet her friends.
"Look, I'm going to Diagon Alley this morning. Any of you need anything?"
"Whoah! You can't go on your own, 'Mione!" Harry exclaimed suddenly. "You're one third of the Golden Trio. You haven't been out yet! And anyway, aren't you still healing?"
"It's all right, Harry. Madam Pomfrey has signed off on this little excursion. And Professor Snape is coming with me. I'll probably spent most of my time with George anyway."
Hermione gave each of her boys a quick peck on the cheek then went on her way. The last thing she wanted was for Professor Snape to wait for her for too long. She withdrew that wand and looked at it thoughtfully.
"What do you think? Just three or four more spells, and I'll give you back."
"Never known anyone to speak to their wand, Miss Granger."
Hermione flicked the wand and summoned her cloak. She put it on and watched as Professor Snape crossed the Entrance Hall to join her.
"It isn't my wand. And whether or not this is all just in my head, it makes me feel better to treat this wand that way."
Snape suddenly made a grab for the wand. Hermione would have let it go, but the wand sparked dangerously, emitting a distinct hissing sound, and Snape slowly retracted his hand.
"Do you know whose wand you're holding, Miss Granger?"
"Yes, I do. Madam Lestrange may not have been a fan of mine, and the opposite is true as well, but this wand has worked well enough for me and I will show my respect and appreciation in any way I want."
Professor Snape looked from the wand to Hermione's eyes.
"You realize that some people are looking for this wand."
"I do know that. Part of why I'm going to Diagon Alley today is to purchase another wand. I will then relinquish this one to whoever in the Ministry of Magic might need it."
"I think you will find it is not that simple, Miss Granger."
"Why? You think the Ministry will ask questions? I have nothing to hide."
"No… But I suppose I could be wrong."
Hermione looked up at the Potion Master but said nothing more. Since the end of the Second Wizarding war, Professor Snape had tried his best to be more accommodating than in her previous experience. She wasn't quite sure why, but Hermione was enjoying the fact he wasn't sneering or shouting at her unless there was a reason for it, however flimsy in her own mind. He was still a snarky git though, and she knew enough not to push him.
The two of them made their way down to the Hogwarts Gates. There, Snape offered Hermione his arm. Hermione accepted the offer, and Snape swiftly turned on the spot, Apparating them away.
.:/*\:.
The two of them landed in a side street that Hermione had never visited before and Snape led the way back to the main part of the Alley.
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione stopped and turned back to look at her Professor.
"You do realize that Minerva is trying to tempt you to apprentice at Hogwarts, don't you?"
"I'm not fussed, Professor. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't choose to apprentice anywhere else if I had a choice."
"Many of the Professors want to retire over the next few years. Minerva is trying to pave the way for their replacements."
"Professor, may I ask why Professor McGonagall is acting like a Slytherin - or as much as she can - about this, while you are trying to… let's say undermine her effort by being the typical bold Gryffindor?"
Snape pulled a sneering grimace, as if the taste of her words was even more acidic to him for the truth in them.
"I find myself wanting to make sure you do what you want to, not what others would like to see you do."
Hermione bit the inside of her cheek. Somehow, she knew her Professor would not be happy if she started giggling at him.
"I appreciate the concern, Professor. But I assure you that anything I might be doing right now, I do it because I want to. That includes working on the wards - even if I'm probably not the best person for it - going back to finish my studies, apprenticing, or whatever else I might decide."
"And you won't let anyone influence you down a path you might not want to follow."
Hermione took a deep breath and released it slowly.
"Do you believe the Professor McGonagall might force me into something?"
"I believe that your Gryffindor nature might," Professor Snape replied, his gaze flitting between the entrance of the side street they stood in and Hermione's eyes.
"I shall keep it in mind, Professor."
The Dark wizard nodded once then set off. Hermione followed, staying one step behind and wondering how she could convince her Professor that no life debt was invoked when she went back to the Shrieking Shack for him. She had honestly believed, after what Harry explained of the circumstances, that Snape would be angry and down right nasty to her for saving him. Instead, he seemed to have decided that he needed to make up for his behavior over the past seven years. The Gryffindor witch almost would have preferred she was right. An awkwardly nice Severus Snape was truly a terrifying sight.
They walked onto Diagon Alley proper and Hermione immediately started to realize just what Harry had meant. It seemed that everything and everyone stopped when the first whispers of two war heroes being present flew down the street. With all eyes of them, Hermione stood a step closer to Professor Snape, pressing her right arm against her side to check that the wand was still in her holster. The crowd seemed to be somewhat kept in check by the reputation of the dark, brooding wizard by her side, and Hermione was really grateful McGonagall had got him to come along.
"I will escort you to Weasley's before getting to my own errand."
Hermione looked up to the wizard beside her and nodded once. Snape started forward and Hermione followed closed behind. Although no one made a move to accost them, she was certain things would be very different if she wasn't with the Dark Hero, as the Daily Prophet had taken to call Professor Snape. His story, just as the Golden Trio's, had been widely circulated by the wizarding newspapers. Both the Prophet and The Quibbler had been running stories on the heroes of the second wizarding war against Voldemort. Xenophilius and Luna Lovegood had been kind enough to send just the one request for an interview, with the letter asking her to contact them if she fancied it when she felt better. The Daily Prophet editor had no such scruples, with almost daily owls and countless stories already ran - some of them even contradicting themselves.
Hermione kept right behind Professor Snape as he made his way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The shop had a closed sign obviously displayed on the front door, but Snape banged loudly and the door opened immediately.
"Come in, Professor, Hermione. Quick before the masses catch their collective breath."
George had obviously been waiting for them and ushered them inside. He closed the door behind them and warded it with a few flick of his wand.
"Thanks for delivering my little sister here safely, Professor. Cup of tea?"
Hermione sighed quietly as she took her first good look at George since the day of the Final Battle. He looked… unkept. His hair was lank and dull. His robes were stained and Hermione had the notion they might be the very robes he had been wearing that day. His eyes were bright and red.
"You need to take better care of yourself, Mister Weasley." Snape voiced Hermione's thoughts and the young witch couldn't help but be slightly surprised at how gentle the Potion Master had sounded.
"You sound like my father."
"It doesn't make the words any less true, George," Hermione said as she stepped forward and laid a hand on her friend's arm.
George took a shuddering breath and went out to the back of his shop. After glancing at Snape, Hermione followed. George was waiting for them there, standing at the bottom of the stairs. He gestured them upstairs. The small flat above the shop was tidy enough, but Hermione still felt that George hadn't been bothered with much since his twin brother's death. She and Snape took a seat in the offered armchairs without a word and George set about pouring tea for all of them.
"Professor, my father wanted me to ask if Hogwarts will be ready for the new school year."
"We are on schedule," Snape confirmed. "Minerva and myself are still trying to work out who is supposed to head the school, but repairs are going along very well. You can tell him not to trouble himself at the moment. He is exactly where he should be. We might call upon more people when the times come to reset the wards. But we are confident that Miss Granger will let us know well in advance if it is necessary."
Hermione couldn't stop the slight blush rising to her cheeks as George looked at her.
"Yes, my sister, the overachiever. You having fun with the School Wards?"
"I am. I came across several very interesting things already."
"I'm not surprised. We've always thought you'd get into an intensive field. We were hoping to snatch you for ourselves, at one point."
"I shudder to think what your genius and pranking spirit, and her knowledge and research skills could achieve," Professor said in his most deadpan voice.
George scoffed. "I don't think we've corrupted her quite far enough. Even after Umbridge. And now that she has discovered warding, I think the pranking world might have lost its greatest potential mischief maker."
"Just because warding is interesting doesn't mean pranking has to be completely off the cards."
"Be still my heart," George replied to Hermione's playful tone and words.
"On this note," Snape said as he finished his cup of tea, "I shall go and brave the crowds. You're welcome to send me your Patronus so I can escort you back, Miss Granger."
"It's fine, Professor. I need to get to Ollivander's and then the Ministry."
"You're welcome to use the back door, Professor Snape. If you make two lefts, you'll end up right opposite Gringotts."
Snape nodded and showed himself out.
"That was a bit weird," George commented as he the now empty teacup.
"I know what do you mean…" Hermione said as she took another sip from her cup.
"Snape, being nice." George shook his head as if to rid his mind from the image.
"I wouldn't say he is being nice. I would describe it as being not overtly nasty."
"Same difference, in his case."
Hermione pursed her lips. "I think he is trying to pay back a Life Debt."
George looked at his honorary sister. "Well, you did save him."
"Only after he had saved me nearly every year during my time at school. If anything, I owe him."
George shrugged then refilled their cups.
"I've heard about McGonagall roping you in for the School Wards."
"And have you got an opinion on the subject too?" At George's inquiring expression, Hermione shrugged a shoulder. "Professor Snape has been pestering me about it, wanting to make sure it was my choice."
"A bit over-protective, isn't he?" George grinned. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. You probably were the next best choice."
"Ah… So she did ask Bill."
"Well… No. She didn't have the opportunity, I think. She came to the Burrow as soon as the reconstruction started. I don't think she knew how to get to Shell Cottage, given it's still Secret-Kept. But she got tangled with Mum's grief, and then she learned about Fleur being pregnant and Bill being pulled back by Gringotts to work on their wards…"
Hermione nodded slowly. With the most of the staff directing the physical repairs at the moment, it left no one with either the knowledge or the time needed to get to know the School Wards. George shook his head then stood.
"Got something for you."
The younger Gryffindor watched as he went to get a slip of parchment.
"You haven't said anything about it yet. And knowing you, you'll wait until Hogwarts is repaired then after you've finished school. And then something else will come up. And all that time, you'll be worrying about your parents without saying anything to anyone."
Hermione looked between the small piece of parchment in her hand and her honorary brother, now standing in front of her.
"This is the name of a private investigator who lives in London. He's a squib, but he's one of the few who actually helped out during the war. He was one of the informant for Potter Watch actually. Since you probably won't be able to do much in terms of looking for your parents, I thought he'd be able to help."
Hermione stood and hugged George. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," George said as he slowly put his arms around her, gave her a small squeeze then skillfully escaped her embrace.
Hermione watched him as he went back to sit down and started to absently draw invisible patterns on his thigh with a finger, slumped against the back rest of his chair.
"How are you, really?"
Hermione's words seemed to have the rather odd effect of deflating George. She had little chance of comprehending what it was to losing a sibling, being an only child, never mind a twin. She thought she could come close by thinking of what could have happened to Harry and Ron, but she pushed away the thought as soon as it crossed her mind.
"I feel only half alive. And Mum only makes it worse," George said from his seat.
He sat there, with his gaze fixed on a spot between his feet, his hands opening and closing in a way Hermione was pretty sure he didn't realize. She winced a bit when she heard his knuckles crack a bit under the repetitive strain.
"I'm sure she doesn't mean to."
"I know that, Hermione. But everyone wants to tiptoe around me. Trying to smother me in their love. Always dropping in, every five seconds…"
"When you'd rather be left alone until you feel you can cope?" Hermione asked. "And can you now?"
"I've asked you to come by because you're the only one who's stayed away this past week. And I know that you've been in the Infirmary. But…"
"Well, I'm here now. Tell me what you need me to do."
George looked up and nodded, his smile a bit strained but still present.
"Fred and I, we had made preparations. We weren't stupid enough to believe we could come out completely unscathed, even if we were hoping."
George trailed off, his eyes closing for a moment, and Hermione waited for his attention to come back onto her.
"Although we were each other's executor of our wills, we chose you to be our back up."
"Me? Why?"
"We thought that, even with the sadness, you'd be able to get on with it."
"You're my brothers. I'd have done my best by you both."
"Exactly. And we know you're strong enough to get things done and break down later. Thing is, I don't think I'll be able to do it."
Hermione immediately held up a hand to stop George.
"Show me the will and let me deal with it."
George's grateful smile was all the recompense Hermione needed. George waved his wand and a heavy-looking roll of parchment flew into his outstretched hand. He handed it over to the witch sitting opposite her.
"Our wills are pretty similar, so I know what it says in general terms."
"You go do what you need to. I'll get started on this."
"I'll be downstairs if you need me. Got to get the shop open."
Hermione nodded slowly and watched as George stood and left the flat. Although she had told George she could handle it, Hermione still took the time to finish her cup of tea and then prepare a fresh one. The younger witch sighed as she studied the roll of parchment on her lap. The large seal made it look all the more official, and for a moment, Hermione wondered what she had just let herself into. She broke the seal and a flash of magic confirmed to her that this experience would be very different from how it went in the Muggle world.
"Hey there, sis'. I'd like to thank you for doing this for me. George has obviously chickened out and I'll be sure to have a few choice words with him later on."
Hermione choked on a sob as the voice of Fred Weasley sounded around her. She felt tears gather in her eyes.
"We were pretty sure you'd never had to do this in the Wizarding world before, so we took the time to make a quick list. We know how much you enjoy these."
Fred's teasing brought a smile out to play on Hermione's lips even as tears started to flow down her cheeks. The witch looked through the various papers now spilling on her lap and sure enough, there in Fred's handwriting was a list entitled Things to Do to Give Me a Real Good, Honest-to-Goodness, and Completely Legal Sending Off.
"This is basically what you need to do. Forget telling the Ministry, the Goblins, or any creditors. Magic has already taken care of that. I didn't owe any money to anyone. You'll find a copy of my accounts in the paperwork to prove that so if any money's missing and George didn't take it, get it back! There's no time limits to execute this, but I would prefer if it was done quick. George has to get on with it and it'll be easier for him with this out of the way.
"All you need to do is gather everyone, read the Will to them, and hand out what I've left them. You may have to ask Professor Snape or McGonagall - whoever is now Head of the school - if you can use the Great Hall. There's quite a few people involved. And I hereby order you to gracefully accept whatever I deemed fit to give you!"
Hermione choked out a laugh at that.
"I mean it, Hermione. You may not be my sister through blood, and if you have any sense you'll never become my sister-in-law, but you still are my sister…"
Fred's voice faded away and Hermione sniffled. With a deep breath, Hermione looked down at the papers on her lap. She carefully sorted through the more tedious part of her duties, checking through Fred's accounts to make sure everything was in order. As she read through the list Fred had made for her, she noted that yes, she would definitely need to see about getting the Great Hall set up for the public reading of the will. Fred had avoided, perhaps wisely, writing on the list just what it was he was planning to give her. And he had noted on the list that the actual will could only be opened on the day she set of the reading.
Hermione finally gathered every pieces of parchment and rolled them up once more, tying the bundle off with one of the spare hair ties she was carrying around. She slowly made her way down the stairs and stood in the back room for a while. The front of the store sounded quite busy. Hermione couldn't say if this was normal, or if her presence had provoked a flurry of business for the joke shop. Before she could make up her mind to go through the door, George came in and spotted her.
"You're gonna want to slip away like Snape did, 'Mione. I'm quite popular on my own but you've really brought out the big guns, to borrow a Muggle expression."
George's eyes lingered on the roll of parchment in her hands, and a sad smile played on his lips.
"You got it all?"
"Yes. Don't worry about anything. Think you can make sure you and your family keep Sunday two weeks from now free?"
"Fred always liked to be first… Yeah, I can make sure the rest of the family turns up. Hogwarts?"
"I'll need to convince McGonagall, or Snape, or both… But given they're both named in Fred's will, I'm sure they'll make an allowance."
"I don't think either of them will cause you much of a problem. They both sort of liked us."
Hermione smiled and tucked the parchments in her bag.
"I need a wand. Do you know if Ollivanders has re-opened?"
"Last Friday, as a matter of fact. Garrick has actually asked about you, so I expect he'll be happy to see you."
"He knows I need a wand," Hermione explained. "He was at Shell Cottage."
"Let me escort you there, just to be on the safe side."
"What about the shop?"
"My assistant will take care of it for the morning."
George went back to the front of the shop for a couple of minutes, before returning and grabbing his cloak. The two of them quietly slipped away from the shop in hope to avoid the crowds.
.:/*\:.
Author's Note: Oooh… my first long review. Just for that, you guys get another chapter!
Thanks amr. Yeah, I do know The Problem with Purity. Great story. Read it a few years back. It's not impossible that my wards were inspired by 's, but I've tried to stay away from any ward-related stories to develop the Path series so I hope it's not a total copy job. I don't think Ron and Hermione make a good couple. And I do think he's a prat but he doesn't deserve to be bashed. A well-aimed kick now and then should be enough. As for your other questions… Some of the answers, I've given or hinted at just now. You might have to wait a bit for the rest :)
I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter.
I've always felt I'm really bad at writing the emotional stuff. Probably because I'm… 'emotionally-challenged' myself. This is why I'm writing this fanfic in the first place. Training, of sorts.
All comments and constructive criticism are welcome. Actually, I welcome flames as well right now: it's pretty cold and wet this winter. Just don't expect me to answer these :)