CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
Summary: Nine years after the war, Hermione's the Head of the Auror Department that specialises in dealing with Magical Creatures and fugitive Death Eaters that are loose in the Muggle World. With the fugitive Death Eaters no longer hiding in Britain, she's tracking rogue Death Eaters in the United States, which leads her to The Winchester brothers. The Witch and The Hunters are a dynamic trio that no creature, being or beast wishes to mess with, Magical or Supernatural. Hermione/Dean pairing. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: I don't own original canon characters or events, just those that I create myself. Everything belongs to J.K Rowling and the creators of Supernatural. I am not making a profit posting this fanfic.
Page count: 9
"Ricky, what did I say about brining mice to the car? Dean will have a conniption if he sees it," Hermione scolded the little owl, before swiftly looking behind her to ensure that Dean and Sam were both still in the shop, choosing snacks and beverages for their trip towards their next case.
Hermione kicked the dead mouse under the car before taking the package attached to Ricky's leg.
"You heading home?" She asked him. He hooted in response. "Off you go then, but don't be taking any mice into the apartment, you don't want Mimsy chasing after you," she warned. He hooted before pecking at her finger affectionately and then flying off.
She looked around before enlarging the package and opening it up and she groaned when she saw the contents.
"I'm sure I just saw your little demon owl out here."
She turned her head to see the brothers approaching her.
"You did," she told her husband. "He was just dropping off a package, I've sent him home."
"Anything good?"
"No," she sighed, showing him the large stack of papers that sat inside the box with The Ministry of Magic logo stamped across the first page.
"That looks fun," Sam commented.
"I wish, it's the annual performance review which I have to carry out on not only my department itself, but I also have to do individual performance reviews and staff appraisals with each member of my team, meaning we'll have to return to England at some point in the next few weeks so I can call a meeting and get all my agents to return to England. It's going to mean long office hours, so unfortunately we probably won't see much of each other."
Sam shrugged. "Ginny mentioned that she was going to return to her Quidditch team soon, we can have the kids for her whilst you're at work. It'll give Molly a break and allow us to spend some time with them since we don't see them that often."
Hermione turned to look at Dean and he nodded in agreement with his brother. "I don't mind watching the kids for a few hours," he shrugged.
"See, that's sorted. We'll take care of this case then head to England for however long you need."
"I should be able to get it all done in less than a week. I can do the department analysis in the car, it's the staffing reviews that I need to do on a one to one basis, some can take thirty minutes, others hours."
"Then let's go," Dean said, making his way to the driver's side.
"You just want to get this over with so you can see Lily Petal," Hermione snorted.
"She's cute," he argued.
"And got you wrapped around her little finger," she said amused.
"She has not!" He denied.
Hermione and Sam looked at each other disbelievingly.
"She has you wrapped around her little finger like a succubus does a man's heart," Sam said and Hermione sniggered.
Dean scowled at them.
"He's not wrong, that little girl owns you and you don't even know it," Hermione shrugged.
"When you two have kids, Lily is going to be introduced to the emotion of jealousy for the first time," Sam shook his head, before moving over to the car and missing the pained look on Hermione's face.
Dean walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and he kissed her forehead.
"It'll happen, sooner or later it will, we just have to keep trying," he muttered.
~000~000~000~
"Glinda, I'm sure I just saw something circling above us," Dean said.
Hermione pulled her attention away from the paper work in front of her and she frowned. She leaned forward to better look out the window until she saw a small, black owl swoop down and almost hit the car.
"It's an owl," she said, sounding confused since she didn't recognise it and it was too small to be one from The Ministry. "It'll keep circling until you pull over."
Dean wasted no time in pulling the car over and Hermione stepped out as the owl dropped the letter into her hands before perching itself on the roof of the car, much to Dean's annoyance.
She frowned, not recognising the handwriting on the envelope and she drew her wand, waving it over the letter and checking it for any potentially harmful hexes or substances.
"What are you doing?" Sam asked, leaning against car with his hands in his pockets, whilst Dean had his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes swooping between Hermione and glaring at the owl, daring it to damage the paint work on the Impala.
"I don't recognise the owl or the handwriting and there's no seal to identify a house or Ministry department. I'm running diagnostic spells and checking to ensure there are no harmful hexes or substances on the letter before I open it."
"You can do that?" He blinked in surprise.
"Yes, I can," she replied, before pocketing her wand and opening the letter when the results were clear.
She frowned as she read the letter over.
Hermione Granger,
I don't know if you remember me but you said if I wanted to talk to you I could. I've started my first year at school and I love it. Some teachers are nice and others are really strict, classes are awesome, and I've made some friends.
I know my mom misses me and she's worried but I'm doing just fine. I've even started flying lessons and I love them. Quidditch is my favourite sport and I love my charms classes.
I love the Wizarding World and school, but it's hard. Some of the others say I don't belong here. They call me names and make fun of me. What's a Mudblood? That's their favourite thing to call me. The teachers don't do anything, they said I need to work it out with my peers before they get involved. What should I do?
I don't even know if you'll get this letter or if you'll reply.
Henry Binns.
Hermione's hand clenched tightly with the letter still in her grip. The brothers both stood up straight at the look of clear anger on her face.
"What is it?" Dean asked with a frown.
Hermione's eyes cut to his and she held out the letter for him to take. He quickly read it over before his eyes widened slightly and he passed it over to Sam to read.
"Binns, he's that kid you performed that magical test on, isn't he? The younger brother of one of the victims in the first cased we worked together?"
"Yes," Hermione replied, her eyes narrowed hatefully at the letter, at the words it contained.
"What are you going to do?"
She took a deep breath and reigned in her anger. "We're going to make a slight detour," she said. They both raised their eyebrows at her and now that she had her own phone, she summoned it from her beaded bag and dialled the number for The American Ministry of Magic, demanding to be put through to The Minister.
"I'm doing well, thank you, Minister...Yes, I'm happy in married life...No, I'm not giving up any details, but nice try...I'm afraid it's not a social call, no, I need a favour...I need an advanced port key arranged as soon as possible...Yes, destination Salem Academy. I have some matters that need to be taken care of, it seems some of the students are expressing the views of the old ways and using derogatory language, and it seems as though the professors can't keep a handle on the situation...No, don't inform them of my arrival...Fifteen minutes, that's great, I'll be right over to pick it up."
She ended the call and slipped the phone into her pocket, looking up to see the brothers watching her in expectance.
"It seems we're taking a little trip to The Salem Academy of Magic."
"Intervening?" Dean asked knowingly.
"If the professors aren't going to put a stop to bullying and blood prejudice then I will. I made a promise to Henry and I intend to keep it. He already has a bad impression of magic due to what happened to his brother. I won't allow his education and school experiences to be tainted, too. Hell will freeze over before I allow that to happen. We should be there in no less than an hour."
"We?" Sam asked.
"Obviously," she rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to leave the two of you on your own, who knows what trouble you'd find yourselves in?" They scowled at her, but didn't deny it; they both knew it was true. "The advanced port key allows for muggle travel and it should give you instant access through the wards surrounding Salem, despite your non-magical status. Minister Allister will have to pull a few strings to get one so quickly since they're usually used in an emergency, and we're still keeping your non-magical status under wraps. I'm going to head over to The Ministry and I'll collect the port key. I'll return as soon as I can."
~000~000~000~
"Got it?" Sam asked, lifting his head from where it was resting against the head rest of the seat.
"Yes," she nodded, approaching the car. "If we head over there now we should be there no more than an hour. I can keep my promise to Henry and then we can be on our way."
"What about Baby?" Dean asked.
Hermione frowned and bit her lip in thought before pulling her wand. She gestured for the brothers to vacate the car and when they did, she shrunk the car down until it fit in her palm. They both stared in surprise as she slipped it into her pocket.
"There, it's only temporary so we don't have long." Dean spluttered. "Relax, she'll be fine. Now, brace yourselves, you've never port keyed before. The trick is to close your eyes and bend your knees ready for landing. It'll feel strange, as though you've been swept up by a tornado and the chances are, since you've never done this before, you'll either be sick or you'll face plant the floor, more than likely both."
Neither of them looked pleased with the idea as she busied herself by pulling out an old babies rattle.
"Now, on the count of three take hold of it, hold it tightly and don't let go. One, two, three."
~000~000~000~
Hermione stared down at the brothers in amusement and barely containing her laughter. Upon their landing she had landed smoothly due to years of practice, the brothers on the other hand, hadn't been as graceful. Sam face planted the floor whereas Dean had rolled to a stop.
She crossed her arms over her chest and watched them as they both lay sprawled on their backs and staring up at the sky.
"I'm never doing that again," Sam groaned.
"You are, it's the only way off the grounds," she replied.
Both brothers groaned and she sniggered.
"Up you get, I want to get this done quickly."
They both groaned before slowly getting to their feet, knowing that if they didn't she'd likely hex them. Sluggishly, they followed after her as she led the way down a narrow path shielded by a large group of trees, and before they knew it, they came to the school.
Hermione had only been to The Salem Academy once in her life and it was a few years after the war when the Headmaster had asked that she guest lecture the seventh years. Not wanting to miss the opportunity she'd agreed to it. Looking up at the large manor house, she could see it was beautiful and much more modern than the ancient Hogwarts castle, but nothing would ever compare to the place that was once her home.
"Welcome to The Salem Academy."
"It's not as big as I was expecting," Sam commented.
"It wouldn't be, there's a few magical schools based in the US, Salem's only one of them. Admittance depends on location and family history. If there are any relatives that have previously attended a school, the witch or wizard will be accepted. It's all about legacy," she explained as she led the way forward.
They came to the entrance doors and they magically opened for her, and as they stepped in, a robed figure approached them after having sensed their arrival on the grounds.
"Miss. Granger, I was not expecting a visit."
"It's Mrs. Winchester," Hermione corrected. "And that's because I did not wish to inform you I was coming," she replied, seeing the way the Headmaster cringed at her acerbic tone.
The headmaster hadn't changed much since she last saw him. He still had short white hair and a thick moustache, his green eyes were swallowed up by wrinkles and large, thick glasses were perched on the tip of his large, hooked nose.
"I have been informed by one of your first year pupils, who happens to be a good friend of mine, that they are being bullied due to their status as a Muggleborn. They are using derogatory names, including this one," she lifted her left sleeve to show her scar and the headmaster flinched. "This student has told their professors and was told that they need to sort it out for themselves."
The headmaster paled as she glared furiously, whilst Sam did his best to control his amusement and Dean slipped his hands into his pockets with a proud smirk on his face.
"I do not believe a member of staff would say such a thing," the headmaster replied.
"So you're calling my friend a liar?"
"Good heavens, no, of course not," he said, a bead of sweat beginning to form on his brow and he pulled a handkerchief from his robe pocket to pat his forehead down. "I'm merely saying things may have been misunderstood. We'll get right to the bottom of this."
"Yes, well, will," she agreed. "Lead the way, Headmaster."
~000~000~000~
"We're stopping for the night," Dean muttered, coming up beside her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
She tilted her head slightly. "I thought we were travelling through the night so we could get there without having to stop."
"Change of plans."
"Why?"
He gave her a heated look. "Fair enough," she said in understanding.
"It's either that or we kick Sammy out of the car for a few hours."
"I can't be done with the whining," she rolled her eyes.
"You might want to take one of those potions you told me about," he said smugly.
She smirked at him. "Me? I'm the one that wears you out, remember? Old age is creeping up on you, Winchester." He pinched her in the side and she squealed before laughing. "You walked right into that one; you can't blame me for taking the opportunity you presented me."
"Just you wait," he muttered.
He saw her mouth twitch and her eyes light up. "Just you wait," she repeated. "I know you're favourite colour's brown but I've got something special planned for you, Mr. Winchester, and I guarantee that after tonight, you're new favourite colour will be much more...Sensual."
He took a deep breath and his arm tightened around her for a moment. She laughed loudly before slipping away from him and moving to catch up with Sam, who was walking a little ahead of them.
"Teasing Witch," he muttered under his breath.
~000~000~000~
Hermione stood at the front of the hall on the raised platform with Dean and Sam stood beside her. She looked out, seeing the many faces of students all staring at her in various forms of shock, admiration and appreciation, and the professors weren't much better as they stood off to the side. The hall was quiet, waiting for her to speak and her continued silence was making the professor's nervous.
Hermione stepped forward slightly.
"For those of you that do not know who I am, I am Hermione Winchester. The man to my left is my husband, Dean, and the man to my right is my brother-in-law, Sam. We have very busy lives and I find it unfortunate that I was forced to come here today and intervene in a matter, when I could be doing my job in catching criminals and helping those less fortunate."
There was not a sound to be heard in the hall.
"Earlier this afternoon, I received an owl from a very good friend of mine, stating that he was being bullied and called derogatory names simply for being a Muggleborn. Now, as a Muggleborn myself, I know how hurtful these names can be and I know the damage bullying does to a person. I did not fight in a war so that blood prejudice could continue and others are made to feel unwelcome or treated anything less than they deserve. Blood prejudice has no place in this world, and it certainly has no place in a school. A school is for learning, it's for honing your magical abilities, it's for building experiences and friendships that will remain with you for the rest of your life. You need to enjoy it whilst you can; before you know it you'll be graduating and thrust into the world of adulthood, employment, marriage and children."
"Everyone has the right to their own opinions and views but if they are harmful to others I suggest you keep them to yourself. You should never take on the opinions of others, you should never believe what you are told. You should always do your own research and use reliable sources as this will help you to form your own opinions without the influences of others. I am so very disappointed in these students that are bullying others and using such damaging and hurtful language. Blood has nothing to do with magic. Just because you are Pureblood, does not mean you are more magically powerful or gifted. It does not mean you are smarter, it does not mean you are a better flyer. And it certainly does not make you better than anyone else."
"Just because you are Muggleborn does not make you weak, it does not make you useless and it does not mean you don't belong in this world. You have magic just like everyone else and you are capable of the same things. You are all magical practitioners and you were all gifted with the abilities of magic. Do not disrespect the powers that be by misusing your gift and mistreating others. You must be kind to one another, you must help one another and you must stop bullying one another. There is no winner."
She looked out, seeing everyone's eyes and attention glued to her.
"I am not going to name names, but I'm sure you know who you are by now. There is no honour in hurting others. I do not want to be contacted again regarding this very serious matter. Laws are coming into effect regarding the penalties of using such derogatory language and no matter your age, you and your families will be penalised. That is all I have to say. The next time I visit, I hope it is to give a lecture on the MLE Department and your lessons of DADA and CoMC."
She turned to her right slightly, her eyes narrowed on the row of professors. "Now that I have spoken with the students, I wish to speak with the professors regarding a very important matter."
~000~000~000~
"You can be scary when you want to be," Sam commented as they left the headmaster's office, leaving behind a traumatised group of professors.
"I held back," she defended.
"I know you did, and you were still terrifying. I was half expecting for fire to burst from you."
"Very funny," she rolled her eyes, and they rounded the corner as they made their way to the exit.
Hermione stumbled back when someone ran into her and Dean stepped closer, gripping onto her to stop her from falling over. Hermione shook her head and looked down at the culprit, surprised to see Henry Binns.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly and tugging on his uniform robes. "I just wanted to say thank you. I didn't think you'd even read my letter."
Hermione smiled down at him. "Of course I did, Henry, I told you I would, and I found it much quicker to come and see you in person rather than writing a reply. I do hope that your school experience is much better from now on."
He nodded. "They found me, the bullies. I thought they were going to hex me."
"And?" She asked. She could not hex children. She could not hex children, she reminded herself, whilst feeling Dean taking her hand in his.
"They said sorry and offered to help me with my history of magic homework."
Hermione smiled slightly. "That's wonderful, but I'd still be cautious around them until you're sure you can trust they mean you no harm."
He nodded. "Thank you for coming, Jack would've been so jealous."
Hermione smiled at him. "Maybe, but I think he'd be more focused on being proud of you. You have so much potential and so much to learn, you could be anything you want to be when you get older. You just have to keep working hard. The Wizarding World is a scary place, but it's also wonderful. You're going to face some people that will treat as those bullies did, but if you keep working hard and prove them wrong, you'll rise to the top, just as I did."
~000~000~000~
"I thought we were driving through the night," Sam spoke confused, seeing Dean pulling into the parking lot of a motel.
"Change of plans," Dean replied.
"Why?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. He caught the way Hermione and Dean looked at each other. "For God's Sake, give me a break," he grumbled.
"We could always kick you out of the car," Hermione replied.
Sam looked to be turning a little green. "Stopping for the night's a great idea, I'll get the rooms." He wasted no time in leaving the Impala and heading to the reception desk.
'Please have two rooms, please have two rooms,' he begged to no one in particular.
He made his way back to the Impala with only one key in his hand. It looked as though he was going to be sleeping in the car.