-0-
Hogsmeade was bustling as they walked down into the village. Harry was holding Ginny's hand and Ron was complaining about something, as usual, but Hermione had mostly tuned it out. She had in mind that she had noticed something in Dervish and Banges that she wanted to buy.
"Honeydukes?"
"Sure," she nodded. She wandered around the shop, rolling her eyes at Ron asking to borrow money from Harry again, and then saw some Ice Mice. She snickered as she bought a few thinking she would give one or two to Minerva, and a Peppermint Toad for herself. She put her purchases in her pocket and waited outside while Harry paid for the rest, presenting her with a sugar quill as he joined her.
"Seemed only fair."
She nodded her thanks and they wandered down the road until she caught sight of the store.
"We need to go to Dervish and Banges."
"Honestly," Ron groaned. "Why are you always out of stuff?"
"Me?" Hermione asked, rounding on him. "Who used the last of my lacewing flies?"
His cheeks went a little red and he shut up but Hermione wasn't looking for lacewings. Ever since she'd mentioned knives to Minerva, she'd decided that it was a good idea. She went straight past the ingredients to the back, where there was a case of equipment. Shears, cutting tools and right down at the bottom of the cabinet, on the bottom shelf, in the far corner was a small row of knives. She stared at them for a long time before she blinked and realised what she was doing.
"Right," she said, standing up. "Remember the other week when you suggested knives?"
"Yeah?" Harry frowned. "I wasn't being serious, I mean, we have wands. Why do we -"
"Because they won't expect it," Hermione said. "So my shout. We're all getting one."
"Hermione!"
"You just bought Ron a kilo of sweets. I'll get these."
Harry frowned, but noticed that Ron didn't and Hermione just shook her head as Ginny, this time, blushed.
"Don't worry about it," Harry mumbled, squeezing her hand. Hermione smirked at him as he looked back. "Be quiet."
"I didn't say a thing. I think you're cute."
Ginny kicked her shoe and she grinned at her friend as the guy behind the counter asked if they needed help. She outlined what she wanted and he seemed surprised when she pointed to them. He showed her the selection and kept fishing back into the case as if expecting more to appear. There were 5 of them, all dusty and old but the blades were sharp and the metal unblemished. She ummed and ahhed over the choices before something made her decide just to get them all. He baulked for a moment and nodded, especially when she said she'd pay full price for them. The money she'd separated from her parent's accounts would cover it easily.
Next came the issue of them knowing she was at Hogwarts. She had to show him her emancipation certificate and though he was less than pleased, he allowed her to proceed. He did try to make her stop at four, but she insisted. Something was telling her she needed all five and eventually, he just gave up.
They were really beautiful. If anything, had they not been so dusty - evidence of how long they had been sitting, Hermione reasoned he might not have sold them to her. He did take great pains to remind them that while there wasn't really a rule against selling such things to students, it wasn't on him if they were taken off them. She waved him off and paid for their wares, and nodded them up to the cave where they'd met Sirius the last time.
"That was amazing, Hermione" Ginny muttered as Hermione got settled on the floor. "Thank you."
"Shall I pick for everyone?" she muttered. "I already know which one Harry's going to pick."
"Yeah, let's see if you get it right," Ginny grinned.
Ron nodded around a mumbled, having stuck his teeth together with treacle toffee.
She held out the one she knew Harry would like. It looked like a miniature version of Gryffindor's sword, with a wide hilt and gold edging. He grinned at her and as soon as it touched his hand he altered his grip a little and smiled wider. For Ginny, she picked the one with the round silver filigree handle. It was slightly smaller than the rest - for a Chaser, Ginny had exceptionally small hands - but like Harry, as soon as she touched it, Ginny nodded and examined it while Hermione offered the one she'd chosen for Ron, to him.
"Fanks," he said between his teeth.
"Do you know how to use one?" Hermione asked.
"Jam it between the ribs, right?"
The gravity of the idea hit her and they all stopped what they were doing and looked at their choices.
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "Exactly." He looked up at her. "How do we carry them?"
"I guess we shouldn't really take them to class. But anytime we leave the castle, we probably need to have them on us. I thought they might come with a holder or something, but I can just as easily get some from Muggle Edinburgh. All the Scotsmen carry knives don't they?"
Harry shrugged and she considered it.
"Where would you want to carry it?"
"Mine's going in my boot," Ginny said immediately. "My Quidditch boots are the only thing I won't let Mum skimp on, so they're solid. I wear them everywhere."
Harry shrugged and looked down at himself.
"I guess my belt? Or on my trousers at least?"
"Sure."
"Ron?"
"The same, I suppose. I'm always wearing George's old trousers anyway. And I'm skinnier than him."
"Okay."
"What about you?"
Hermione thought about it for a while and motioned pulling it from a pocket and then her thigh and her boot and finally," she looked down at her hands.
"I guess my thigh. I could hide that easily enough over my jeans or under my robes. I'll get us all wand holsters, too. They're either forearm or side." All of them held out their arms. "Yeah me too. Okay. I'll get that sorted.
"Wait," Harry said as they all stood up to go. "What does your knife look like? And why did you buy the fifth one."
"I felt like I needed it," she mused. "Dunno why, just my gut telling me I needed the set. But," she shrugged. "That's the fifth," she said, showing them. It was curved dangerously like a scimitar, with a well-oiled mahogany handle with golden vines inlaid into the wood. "And then this is mine."
She'd chosen hers the moment she'd seen it. It was all black, even the blade - so black it seemed to suck in the light. It had swirls of silver that seemed to move back and forth along the blade and a deep green stone at the hilt and the butt. She didn't say anything, but as she stared at it, it seemed to warm her palm. They oohed and ahhed over it, but it was only when she tucked it back into her pocket that she realised that the stones reminded her a bit of Minerva's eyes.
-0-
She arrived at Minerva's door at ten to four the next day. She'd had a terrible time trying to figure out what to wear and eventually asked Ginny to help make her look less like a kid trying to dress in adult clothing and more like the adult she was supposed to be.
"You're so high maintenance," Ginny joked as she pinned the last of her hair up. "There. All done."
"You're sure this isn't too much?"
"No, It's an afternoon party between professors. They'll probably get drunk and then you and McGonagall are going to sneak off to wherever and then shoot spells at each other. You need pretty but versatile."
"You ought to go into practical wizarding fashion, Gin," Hermione chuckled.
"On the plus side, you can shove your knife in those boots and not be scared of stabbing yourself with it."
"I sent off for a catalogue. I'm going to have to persuade Hedwig to go and fetch it for me."
"Or I will have to," Ginny preened.
"You really like him, don't you?"
"I really do," Ginny said, sobering.
"Good. He needs you. You'll be good for each other"
"I think he probably needs both of us," Ginny snorted. "Have fun tonight. Don't stay out too late."
"Ass," Hermione laughed. "See you later."
She'd raced down the stairs, ignoring the odd whistle as she did and waved to Harry and Ron as she left. In truth, the whistles weren't all that bad. She didn't often get noticed but apparently, a tight pair of jeans and a flowy top that left her arms bare was enough to make people see her.
Her wand was in one boot and her knife in the other and she found herself straightening up as she stalked down the hall. They'd borrowed the boots from Pavati but they were amazing once she'd finally got them the right size. Calf-high and patent black, which gleamed against her deep blue jeans.
She knocked twice and waited for Minerva to open the door.
"Herm -"
Minerva stopped and looked at her, letting her eyes travel all the way down to her feet and then back to her face.
"Is this too much? I asked Gin for help but sometimes I worry about her."
"Yes, no, I mean," Minerva rolled her eyes. "You look beautiful, um, lovely. Come in, I'm not quite ready yet."
"That's fine," Hermione smiled.
Minerva went back over to the sideboard and Hermione watched as she let down her hair.
"Whoa," she whispered.
Minerva turned expectantly and Hermione blushed under the scrutiny.
"Sorry," she giggled. "I've never seen it down. I had no idea it was so long! Is it heavy?"
"Quite," Minerva nodded. "Though I have it tamed these days. As a child, it was just a mess."
"Do you only wear it in a bun?"
"I have been known to let Poppy," she glanced over. "Madam Pomfrey put it up on occasion for weddings, christenings and the like, but generally, it is what I am known for. I plait it before I sleep. Much too uncomfortable to rest on."
"Well," Hermione smiled. "It's lovely."
"Thank you," Minerva said, looking pleased. She flicked her hair over, in much the same way Hermione and Ginny, for that matter, did when they were putting their hair up and Hermione was struck by how normal it was.
"What?"
"Hmm?" Hermione blinked. "What did you say?"
"You were looking at me quite thoughtfully. Did I embarrass myself?"
"NO!" Hermione almost shouted, shaking herself out of her stupor. "No, I was just thinking how normal it was to watch you do your hair like that. I do my hair like that, Ginny too. Just," she chuckled. "Not weird, but," she shrugged. "I dunno."
"I am just a woman, Hermione," Minerva said softly. "Just like you or anyone else."
"No," Hermione laughed. "Not like anyone else."
Minerva snorted and tucked the ends under a pretty silver pin, fixing it with a spell.
"Do you feel better today?"
Hermione blushed and met Minerva's eyes.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. "I was grumpy. And frustrated and just -" she groaned and fell back on the sofa over the arm. "I'm just sorry."
"As long as whatever is bothering you is done with for now?"
"Well," Hermione muttered as Minerva stood over her. "I still think the plan is folly but I do also understand why it has to be a bit looser than I'd like. Just as you said. So I guess so?"
"Good," Minerva nodded. "Now, do you have your wand?" Minerva asked, her eyes glancing at Hermione's hips. The woman blinked and shook her head and turned away.
"Yes. Wand in my right boot, knife in my left boot."
"Knife?"
"Mhmm," Hermione grinned as she sat up. "I told you, part of our new strategy to be prepared for everything."
"I -"
"We won't wear them in class or anything. I only bought them yesterday. But yeah, only when we leave the castle. And we're getting proper holsters next week for wands and knives. I had to send off for a catalogue. How come you don't wear one?"
Minerva gave up and sat down on the arm of the sofa and rubbed her head.
"Hermione -"
"Look, I know," she accepted without the woman even saying anything. "But you can't deny they won't see that coming. I mean when Ron broke his wand in Second Year, he spent as much time hexing himself as he did anything else."
Minerva snorted and shook her head. A sudden thought, though, stopped Hermione before she spoke again and she stared at Minerva for a while before she grinned.
"What?"
"I think I bought you one as well."
"What!"
Hermione told her what had happened and explained the reasons why she felt the need to buy all five.
"They felt like they were supposed to be together, does that make sense?"
"Hermione," Minerva bit her lip. "I do not like the sound of that. Where did you purchase them?"
"Dervish & Banges?"
"They do not sell weapons, Hermione."
"I'm telling you, there were 5, sitting in the bottom of the equipment case. When I saw the one I chose, I just knew I needed them all."
"Let me see it please."
"Min -"
"Hermione!"
Minerva hardly ever snapped these days so it echoed around Hermione like a whip crack.
"You don't trust me?"
"That is not what this is," Minerva growled. "Let me see it."
"You're planning on taking it off me!" Hermione almost shouted.
Minerva stood suddenly and Hermione stumbled backwards, startled by the movements and the turn of events. She turned to go but Minerva was quicker.
"Stop," Minerva ordered, quieter this time, as she grabbed Hermione to stop her. "Hermione, please, just stop. I'm sorry."
They were both breathing heavily but even after all of that, Minerva's hand on her shoulder calmed her down significantly.
"Just wait a moment," Minerva whispered. "It's okay. I'm not angry." Hermione rather thought she was but she didn't speak as they shared the quiet moment, listening to each other breathe. "Okay," Minerva swallowed. "Let me finish my thought, then you may speak, alright?"
Hermione resisted the urge to wrap her arms around Minerva like she wanted and instead stepped back a little and stared as the woman settled herself.
"I apologise for snapping," Minerva almost whispered. "You are so dear to me, Hermione, I am afraid, not angry."
"Afraid? Min-"
"Wait," Minerva instructed, holding her hand up to steal any further interruption. "Hermione, there are things in this world, this magical world, that we may never understand. Things that are cursed or imbued with magic from hundreds, thousands of years ago that have no labels, no instructions. The reason we stripped Harry's broom after he got it for Christmas was because of this exact situation. Now I find out that, not only did you manage to find the exact number of knives you were looking for, in a shop that ordinarily doesn't sell weapons, in a case I have perused, myself, many times and never seen them, but that you've given them out to your friends!"
"They -"
Minerva placed her fingers over Hermione's lips this time.
"More to the point, that you feel so strongly about this is concerning to me. That you won't even let me see it? Think, Hermione, does that sound logical?"
"It's not that I don't want you to see it. You can see," Hermione muttered. "I just don't want you to touch it. And that goes for everyone. It's mine."
"Hermione," Minerva breathed. "Darling," Hermione blinked as Minerva's hands rested heavily on her shoulders then shifted to her face. She cupped Hermione's cheeks and met her eyes. "Listen to your words. Listen to them."
In a testament to how much she adored Minerva, she did take a moment to think about how it sounded. And how it felt. And she nodded.
"I understand," Hermione whispered, looking up into Minerva's eyes. "But if you take mine you need all five. They can't -" She bit her lip to stop what she was going to say but Minerva bent a little to catch her eye again. "They shouldn't be separated."
"Hermione," Minerva breathed.
"It's not bad," Hermione argued. "I can feel it, it's not bad, it's just important somehow. They're ours."
"Give me the knife, Hermione."
"I am going to," Hermione nodded, having decided. "But I need you to just trust me a little, even if you go poking around with it." She took Minerva's hands and held them tightly in her own. "Min, I have felt what bad feels like. We had Tom Riddle's childhood diary in our Second Year. I know what bad feels like. This feels possessive and needy but not icky. It feels right, correct? Not desperate, even though I've made it seem so."
Minerva snorted and kept Hermione's hands in one of her own and cupped Hermione's cheek again
"Let me see it, please. Now."
Hermione stepped back and reached down, pulling it from her boot. She felt it warm in her palm, but she wasn't going to mention that as she turned it around and passed it to Minerva, handle first, without hesitation. For all of her arguing, she didn't feel quite as bad passing it over to her.
Minerva frowned and held it in her open hand for a long time before she turned it over and took note of the colour and the blade and the emerald in the hilt.
"Hermione, this is a beautiful knife."
"I thought so," Hermione grinned. "Yours is lovely too if it's any consolation," she chuckled.
Minerva turned the knife over on her palm for a minute or two before sighing and spinning it around, cavalierly, and offering it back.
"Tomorrow morning, I want all five on my desk, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Professor," Hermione nodded, taking it back with a grin. "How do you do the spinny thing?"
Minerva scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Get out the door, we are going to be late."