The disclaimer is in both my bio and the first chapter of this story.
Thanks to the Higher Power for a new day and tons of plot bunnies. I have to go back to writing.
Hugs to followers and amazing people who support this story, including my mom and son. My friends SlytherinSal and Marc the Unruly.
Tammgrogan, thank you for your lovely words.
Warning, it's a small chapter, and the sweet loving story makes a turn. Bashing ahead. For those who don't like it, please find another story.
Enjoy!
Chapter 7. Strange deaths.
When ready, the family returned to Hermione's cottage in Hogsmeade. It was then that Hermione received the Daily Prophet in which Rita Skeeter apologized for her rude comments in her previous scoop. Just like Harry promised, the apology was in a gaudy fashion. Hermione smiled and kept her smug face for a couple of more seconds.
Then in a side column, she read.
Miss Romilda Vane found dead, and a suicide note left.
Hermione frowned at the story when Lily shrieked at the picture of the now-dead witch.
Harry picked up Lily as the little one cried and said, "That's the mean witch, Daddy, that's her."
"There, there sweet one, the mean witch will not get you again, she's gone, see? Her picture in the newspaper is saying that she's died."
Lily wept for a while and after Tilly gave her a sedative potion, the little one fell asleep while both Harry and Hermione held her.
Hermione sent a letter to her employers asking for another day off. The goblins sent her a note saying that 'Family takes precedence' plus permission for another week off to continue her hosting activities, and getting acquainted with her new role as Lady Potter.
She smiled and sent her reply.
As the week completed, the news became very somber.
-Former Harpies Quidditch player, Miss Ginevra Weasley was found a victim of accidental death. The witch who recently had learned how to ride a bicycle rode on a bit of a country road, with sad consequences. Investigation into her death shows she was under the influence of alcohol. Cycling while heavily intoxicated.
-Cho Chang perished, a victim of choking on a piece of chicken. The neighbor's downstairs reported a foul odour and uncovered the sad passing of Miss Chang.
Another unusual passing made the headlines.
-Marietta Edgecombe died because she used a beauty lotion that had turned toxic since it was well past its due date. St. Mungos asks for the public to keep a close eye on their beauty and health care potions for the due date as a preventive measure.
The seven-day holiday ended and Harry and the children introduced Hermione to the elves in Potter Glen and the Black ancestral home as their new mistress. To Hermione, it was surreal, but lovely nonetheless. She was quiet over the house-elf staff, and only by asking them, just like she did Tilly, her own personal house-elf, did she get the explanation on how the house-elf magic becomes imprinted onto the new magic, including their mistress. The elves from the Black home became almost enamored with her magic, and the Potter elves were deeply respectful. Hermione took every change with a bit of detachment and joy. Digesting the acceptance and love from the entire Potter-Black magic. It was a turn.
Days later, while in Gringotts, Madame Susan Bones found Hermione busy completing her delivery of potions. "Madame Granger, do you have a moment? I would like to speak to you in private," said Susan.
Hermione nodded and then realized that Susan had a beautiful beetle brooch and the insect was so peculiar as to display marks around the contours of its eyes, just like red square glasses.
Hermione answered, "Of course, let's go to my office,"