Beta love to CarbConnoisseur.
Hoping you all have a fabulous Christmas/ festive period x
"Will you come home with me?" he asked as they wandered away from the Defence classroom, the small group of teenagers in front of them casting uneasy glances behind them as if they had been waiting, but now didn't know how to approach.
"How forward Mr. Potter," she teased.
He scrunched up his nose. "Ew, no! You're my little sister!" She snorted, but didn't speak. "Seriously, Kitten. Mum and Dad would love to see you again and you've been hiding in that big house of yours. Aunt Effie and Uncle Monty are also curious. You used to play with James too, you know?"
"Yes. Alastor has pictures."
"Are you ever going to call him dad?"
She shrugged. "It's… he's not my dad. I know that technically he is, but… I had a dad."
"What was he like?"
Hermione paused. "He… I was a daddy's girl, you know? Dad was the one who read the stories and played with me. He… used to take me to work with him and let me pretend to be his assistant with his long-time patients. I used to dress him up in play jewellery and paint his nails and he used to let me. Once I was older he used to provoke me to make me think about political debates, life issues, moral dilemmas. He… wanted me to think for myself and remember that I was lucky. We weren't wealthy, but we weren't exactly poor either. He wanted me to remember that that was a privilege and that not everyone had it."
Alex hummed. "He sounds amazing," he replied softly.
"He was," she whispered.
"Kitten?" he frowned, checking they were alone. "What happened to your parents?"
She let out a shaky breath. "I… I was a target. And no one seemed to want to help, so I obliviated them and sent them to Australia. They couldn't be used to get to me if they weren't there and they never had to know that they'd lost a daughter if they didn't know they had one in the first place."
Alex stopped abruptly. "What?" She shrugged, not meeting his eyes. "Kitten… Kitten that's… fuck." He pulled her to him abruptly. "Why wouldn't anyone help?"
"I don't know," she whispered. "I asked them too."
"Oh. Oh, Kitten. I'm so sorry. Does Uncle Alastor know?"
She shook her head. "No one else has asked."
He gaped at her slightly. "How the fuck has no one else asked?"
She shrugged again, her tone slightly bitter. "They were muggles. What else does anyone need to know? After I've said that, everyone seems to forget they existed."
He closed his eyes as he hugged her tightly, not wanting to admit that she wasn't wrong.
"Oh my," Dorea gasped at the sight of Catriona on Alex's arm. It was a sight she'd long since given up on seeing.
"Dorea?" Effie asked, her head raising sharply, turning to follow her sister-in-law's gaze. "Is that…? Sweet Merlin, she looks like Ailsa doesn't she?"
"Yes," Dorea murmured, a sharp spike of pain travelling through her. Clean and less gaunt, the resemblance was startling.
"Mum I brought a visitor," Alex called, with a smirk reminiscent of his father as he tugged Hermione forward.
"So I see," Dorea commented lightly. "Cat… Hermione, might I introduce my sister-in-law, Euphemia. I don't know if anyone mentioned, but we live here with Effie and Charlus' brother, Fleamont."
"Oh," she murmured. "James' mother?"
"That would be me," Euphemia beamed, "You've met my son?"
"Aunt Minerva had me come to Hogwarts to resume my animagus transformation," she replied softly, trying not to wince at the look on Dorea's face at the title. In truth, Minerva had been like family when she was just Hermione Granger. Having taken her under her wing during the hell of her third year, the leap wasn't hard. She didn't want to hurt this woman, but she also didn't know her. Silently, she acknowledged that that was entirely her own fault. She'd been avoiding her.
"Ah, how is that going?" Dorea asked lightly, swallowing down her hurt.
"It's… well, I'm glad to be rid of the mandrake leaf."
Effie laughed at the look of disgust that crossed her face. "I can't imagine it's pleasant.
Screwing up her nose, Hermione shook her head. "No. It was disgusting. I'm trying not to think about the fact that I'll have to swallow it when the storm comes."
"Probably best," Effie commiserated with a soft smile on her face. Hermione couldn't see a hint of her in James or Harry. Ridiculous Potter genes. But she decided there and then she liked this plump little witch. She reminded her viscerally of a calmer, more refined Molly Weasely.
"How exactly did… this come about?" Dorea asked into the silence.
Alex flushed. "Well… she wasn't coming to us," he muttered mulishly.
"Alexander Charlus Cygnus Potter!" she growled, making Hermione snicker. "What did you do?"
He sighed. "If it helps, she's already humiliated me, so could we maybe not continue it here?" he asked hopefully.
"Humiliated you how?" His Aunt asked with interest.
"Professor McGonagall had her duelling," Alex muttered. "Uncle Alastor has been training her."
"Has he now?" Dorea asked, sounding amused.
"Yes. I'm going to go and beg him for lessons. She did it in front of Jamie's class."
At that, his mother and his aunt both laughed. Effie reached for her. "Come and sit down dear. I want to hear all about it."
Smothering a smile as Alex pouted, Hermione moved to comply. "We're not interrupting?"
Dorea waved her off. "Not in the least. We were… discussing the upcoming winter ball that the Blishwicks are hosting. Unfortunately, as they have no real political alliance yet, we won't be able to get out of it."
"Ah," Hermione nodded. "That sounds… well quite frankly it doesn't sound fun."
"You think you'll avoid it dear?" Effie asked gently. "We had wondered if it was the best time to ah… announce your return."
"What?" Hermione blanched. "No thank you."
"Minerva's had you duelling in James' class?" Effie prodded.
She frowned, "Yes."
"It's a Gryffindor/Slytherin class, is it not?"
"Yes," Hermione groaned, finally seeing where this was heading.
"They'll talk, darling," Dorea cut in gently. "And it's best if we control the narrative."
"Do I have to?" she whined, making all of them smile.
"No," Dorea conceded. "But it might be… prudent?"
"Wonderful," she muttered.
"Now, how is your dancing?"
"I had dancing lessons from four," she murmured. "I don't perhaps know any wizarding variations, but I won't trip over my own feet."
"Wonderful," Droea smiled. "Perhaps you'll indulge me and run through a set with Alex? Not today but soon?"
"I… I can do that," she agreed, burying the image of her father waltzing her around the living room to help her practice.
"Are you alright, dear?" Effie asked softly.
She nodded quickly, ignoring their concern. She wasn't equipped to deal with it at present.
"If you're sure," Dorea murmured, scanning her face. "Tuesday?"
"I… that should be fine. I have no schedule until after Christmas."
"What's happening after Christmas?"
"Aunt Minerva is arranging tutors so I can take my NEWTs."
"Oh?" Dorea asked lightly.
"Students," Hermione clarified. "I believe James is one of them. Sirius, Remus, and Lily too."
"Oh, that sounds like a wonderful idea!" Effie beamed. "Perhaps you could convince my sons to actually apply themselves?"
Hermine snorted. "Unfortunately, Mrs. Potter, I am not a miracle worker."
"Effie, dear," she chided. "And that's a shame. I had hoped Remus would exert some influence, but alas, it seems to be the other way around."
Hermione bit back a smile. "I can imagine."
"Now, do you have something suitable to wear for your first ball?" Dorea interjected, eyeing her robes.
"Probably not," Hermione sighed. "Alastor and I got some basics, obviously, but that's all."
"Will you permit me to take you shopping?" she asked softly, as if expecting rejection.
Biting back a sigh, Hermione nodded. "I… I'm not a great shopping companion," she warned her gently. "But… I have no idea what I need to fit in here."
Dorea smiled genuinely. "Well then, let's change that. Friday?"
Hermione nodded, wondering what on earth she'd just signed up for.
"Will you walk with me, Hermione?" Dorea asked just as she was preparing to extract herself. It wasn't that it hadn't been enjoyable. It surprisingly had been, but she was reaching the end of her limit for other people. Emotions were threatening to overwhelm her as she imagined how much Harry would have loved his grandmother. Hearing the stories Alex and James' mothers told of their childhoods, she could easily envisage Harry slotting right in as he should have if life had been fair. A Grandmother to coddle him, a Great-Aunt to sneak him sweeties, and a father and a cousin to teach him how best to get into mischief. It made her want to sob as she sat surrounded by the clear evidence of everything he'd been denied.
"Ah, yes?"
Dorea nodded, looping her arm through hers once they'd acquired cloaks. "How are you settling in, dear?" she asked gently. "I realise that you do not know me, but I would like to help."
Hermione swallowed audibly. "How much did Professor Croaker tell you?"
"Not much," Dorea murmured.
Hermione sighed. "Your great-nephew was my best friend. He… we… we were close," she stumbled over her words in an attempt to get them right. "At one point, we were all the other had."
"What?" Dorea gasped.
Ignoring her, Hermione continued. "It's… jarring. Being here. He should have had all of this and he didn't. I keep imagining him here where he should have been, and it hurts. And I know that I can change it this time, but I just really fucking miss him. Alex… Alex reminds me of him and he feels like family in a way that's truly inexplicable, but he's not Harry. And that's hard."
"Where were we?" Dorea asked, her voice deceptively even.
Hermione winced, letting out a slow breath. "I don't know. Not exactly, but Harry was told he had no family from the Potter side. I… I had no idea you existed, no idea James Potter had had a cousin, or an aunt and uncle. It was never mentioned."
"Mother of Morganna. Where was James?"
"The man styling himself as Lord Voldemort murdered him and his wife," she whispered. "There was a prophecy….."
Alex noticed how subdued his mother was once Hermione left. "Mum?"
Dorea's head shot up and she smiled wanly. "Yes?"
"Are you alright?"
"No," she whispered, unable to retain her usual composure in the face of all the horrors her goddaughter had mentioned. It tempered her hurt at being excluded for over a month as it finally began to sink in just how much the girl had lost. It was nothing short of miraculous she was still functioning. Dorea was fighting the urge to demand Effie summon James and Sirius home from school so they could just lock them all in the house. Dead. All of them were dead at the hands of an unloved little boy with a chip on his shoulder. It made her want to break things, and rage… and sob.
"Mum?" he asked again in alarm.
"I can't tell you."
Alex blinked. "Croakers vow?" She nodded. "Right then, let's go and sort that."
"What?"
"I will not be kept out of the loop, Mother. Cat… Hermione, Merlin that's weird, has obviously shared something. We need to be able to put the pieces together from what little she shares if we're going to fix it."
"Fix it?" Dorea repeated.
"Well, she's going to try." He pouted, his arms folded, a stubborn expression stealing over his face. "She's not doing it alone. I won't bloody let her."
The thought made Dorea's blood run cold. Her son. Her baby. Mixed up in this war. But if what her goddaughter had said was true, they'd all be dead within four years anyway.
"No," she agreed softly. "She's not."
"Shit! That's a storm," Hermione cursed, startling from her bed before jumping out of it and racing over to the drawer that hid her vial, trying not to think about its contents as she rushed outside, not able to remember whether she needed to or not.
Taking a deep breath she steeled herself for what she hoped was her first transformation, chanting "Amato Animo Animato Animagus," pausing to down the potion as she fought the urge to vomit. The mandrake leaf had not improved with age. Stifling a gasp, she fell to her knees as pain tore through her. As abruptly as it startled, it stopped. Gazing down at the ground that was much closer than she remembered it, she noticed two paws. Well fuck. It appeared that it had worked. Concentrating, she focused on turning back into herself, hearing the frustrated squeak when it didn't happen. Attempting not to panic, Hermione took her wand carefully in between her teeth and began scampering unsteadily back towards the house, feeling awkward and uncoordinated in her strange new body.
She was exhausted by the time she had reached the top of the stairs, almost falling back down them when she came face to face….or face to feet with a confused-looking Alastor.
He blinked down at the creature holding the wand between its teeth, his mind trying to place it before he laughed.
"Got stuck, lass?"
Hermione's nose twitched as she squeaked indignantly, only making him laugh harder. "Ah, it'll be alright. Your Aunt Minerva got stuck for a few hours too her first time, or so I'm told. She eventually changed back in her sleep."
Hermione attempted to scowl at him, not that it worked. She let out a shrill cry of surprise when he scooped her up and began walking towards her bedroom. "Now then lass, I never thought I'd tuck in an otter but here we are. Get some sleep, and if you're still stuck in the morning we'll go and visit Minerva, alright?"
Giving a squeak of resignation, Hermione burrowed under the covers when he placed her down, ignoring how nice it felt when he ran his fingers over her head. "Goodnight lass," he murmured.
"Hello! Uncle Alastor! Kitten!" Alex scowled as the house remained resolutely silent. He'd only managed to persuade his Uncle to grant him access by promising he was helping Hermione, and he intended to make the most of it. Cautiously moving out of the floo room he was startled by the appearance of a small glowering elf.
"Can Lolly be helping?"
"Oh, I'm looking for my Uncle or Hermione," he smiled engagingly. The elf glowered back.
"And who might yous be?"
"Oh. I… Alex. Alex Potter," he stammered, taken aback.
All at once, the small elf beamed. "Master Charlus and Miss Dorea's baby!" she squeaked.
"Ah, yes."
"Oh! Lolly remembers when you was still small! The Master and the Little Miss be in the library with the Professor."
"The Professor?" he queried.
"Yes," she nodded, clearly not willing to elaborate.
"Right then," he muttered. "Will you show me the way?"
"Of course, Master Alex."
He followed her along, taking in the house he hadn't been in for years, picking up on the things he remembered from his childhood. Nothing had changed. Merlin, fifteen years and his Uncle hadn't changed a bloody thing.
"Master, young Master Alex is here to see the little Mistress," Lolly announced, causing the conversation in the room to cease.
"Professor Croaker! I can come back?" he checked, all of a sudden feeling uncomfortable as all three of the room's occupants swivelled to look at him.
Hermione rolled her eyes and waved him in, even as Alastor scowled. "Is there a reason you're in my house?"
"Alastor!" Hermione exclaimed, making Saul laugh.
"Young Mr. Potter," Saul grinned. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you again so soon."
He shrugged slightly awkwardly. "I just came to see if Kitten would like to meet Kings."
"Yes!" Hermione exclaimed at the same Alastor growled, "No!"
"What? Why not?" Hermione turned to look at him bewildered.
"You're not meeting Kingsley sodding Shacklebolt."
"Why not?" she repeated.
"Because!" Alastor glowered.
Her eyes darted around the room. "What am I missing?"
"Ah, Kings has a bit of a reputation," Alex muttered. "But he wouldn't… not you…."
"What's wrong with me?" she asked indignantly, hiding her amusement at his wince, already knowing what he was implying.
"Nothing! Oh Merlin, Kitten. You're my baby sister. It's, there's… a code"
"A code?" she repeated, arching a brow.
"Yes! And he… he wouldn't. Like I would never… with his sister.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Thanks for clearing that up. From what I've heard of his sister, she'd eat you alive."
"Regina's not that scary," Alex muttered, looking unconvinced. Hermione snorted, shaking her head.
"You're not going anywhere near the likes of Shacklebolt," Alastor growled, drawing their attention back to him.
Hermione turned to look at him, frowning. "And just what do you think he's going to do to me?"
"He has a reputation!" Alastor repeated stubbornly. "He could… he could…."
Hermione's eyebrow rose as Saul smirked. "Steal her innocence?" he suggested.
"Yes!"
Hermione bit back a grin. "Right, well… he might be a little late for that."
"What?" Alex snarled at the same time as Alastor.
She shrugged, utterly unrepentant. "We were relatively certain we were going to die."
"Who?"
"What does it matter? They're not even born yet!"
Alex scowled. "I don't like it."
"That's sad," she shrugged. "I can't exactly change it now." Both Alex and Alastor grimaced.
"You're still not going near Shacklebolt," Alastor muttered mulishly.
Hermione rolled her eyes, waving them off. "Of course I am. He's not going to be interested in me. I've heard the stories. Kings has a type and it's not me."
"What's wrong with you?" Alastor protested, echoing her earlier question, all of a sudden offended on his daughter's behalf.
"Contrary sod," she muttered, making Saul laugh. "Last time I checked I was neither tall nor leggy and I'm definitely not… ah…."
"Simpering?" Alex suggested with a grin.
She snorted. "That."
"I don't like it," Alastor muttered.
She sighed, turning to Saul, "Is there anything else you needed?"
"Nope, I just wanted to check-in. You'll let me know when you've got the grimoire?"
She nodded. "Aunt Minerva said Christmas."
"Probably best. Saves rousing Albus' interest."
"That's what she thought," Hermione agreed.
"Come and visit me next week?" he suggested. "I've a few things you might find interesting."
Hermione grinned. "Alright. Monday?"
"Sounds good to me. I know we're keeping a relatively low profile, but as long as you stick to the story, you should be alright to floo in with your father."
She hummed. "And the timeline?"
"You're from it," he shrugged. "Even if… even if we're wrong. This is your timeline, not the other one. I discussed it with a few people. We all agree."
"I see," she murmured.
"So she's clear to go to the Ministry?" Alastor checked.
"Yes," Saul agreed. "It's time to start living like you're meant to be here. No more hiding."
Hermione sighed, but nodded, before turning to her father with a smirk, Hermione stopped on her way out of the door. "Don't wait up," she teased, making Alastor splutter and Saul laugh. Alex looked torn.
"I don't like it," he groused.
"Tough," she retorted.
"You seem… less sad," he ventured on their walk to the floo.
"It's… getting easier," she murmured. "I miss them. But… I have to remember I get to change it for them."
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, her face was pensive but not as devastated as it had been the last time she'd mentioned them. It gave him some small hope that she'd settle into her place here.
The Ministry was bustling as always when they navigated their way towards the Aurory.
Two redheaded men rolled their eyes when they spotted Alex. "I don't know why you don't just give in and join us, Potter," one of them teased. "You're here all the time!"
Hermione laughed. "Don't you have a job? I've just realised I never asked."
"Oh, and who might you be?" the second twin grinned.
Alex glowered, wrapping his arm around her. "Alastor Moody's daughter so back the fuck off, Prewett."
The twin's eyes widened. "Are you really?"
"Yes," she grimaced. "And you are?"
"Ah, fair lady, I am Fabian Prewett, and this is my twin, Gideon. I am of course the better looking twin."
"Oh, of course," she smiled, as she was instantly reminded of Fred and George.
"Oi! He is not! I am the superior twin, Miss Moody. Gideon Prewett at your service."
She laughed as he kissed her knuckles and bowed exaggeratedly.
"Will your father be joining us?" Fabian checked suddenly, looking around as if expecting his boss to materialise.
"Not today," she smiled. "I believe he intends to come back on Monday."
"Alex!"
"Shit," Alex muttered, turning towards the voice. "Father!"
Charlus Potter looked at his only son shrewdly. "What are you doing here?"
"Ah, introducing Hermione to Kings."
"Hermione… Oh."
"Hello, Mr. Potter."
He grimaced. "Charlus, please."
She smiled slightly, nodding. "Charlus."
"Dorea tells me you're going shopping on Friday for the ball?" Hermione pulled a face, making him laugh. "Well she's excited at least. Come and see me before you go?" She nodded, before he turned to his son. "A word, Alexander."
Alex grimaced. "I'll be back soon, Kitten."
Hermione laughed as he followed his father into his office. "I almost wish I'd been allowed to witness that scolding."
The twins laughed. "Oh they're legendary. Every now and then Director Potter tries to get him to be more productive."
"He really doesn't have a job?"
"Oh, he does… sort of. He supplies potions to several apothecaries. Director Potter just thinks he could do more."
"Ah."
"Although on that note, we'd better get back to work before Director Potter questions why we're not busy," Fabian muttered, knowing there was a story there but not able to work out how to ask without sounding insensitive. "Will we be seeing you around, Miss Moody?"
"Perhaps," she replied with a smile as the harassed-looking Kingsley materialised.
"Have you seen Alex?" he barked, spotting Fabian.
"He's with Director Potter. What's got your wand in a knot?"
"I said I wouldn't be late," he muttered. "He has some bird he wants me to meet. No idea why. I swear to Merlin if it's someone he's trying to set me up with again..." Hermione snorted, drawing his attention to her, "Something funny…Miss….?" he asked.
"Moody," she supplied with a smirk. "And I can assure you Alex has no intention of setting you up with me."
"Moody…" his jaw dropped. "As in….?"
"Alastor Moody. Quite. He's my father."
"Oh fuck," he muttered. "Wait…."
She arched a brow, "Yes?"
"He… Alastor doesn't have children."
"My very existence proves he does," she replied blandly.
"Since when?" he demanded.
She laughed at him. "I'm nineteen."
"You weren't at Hogwarts."
"No," she conceded. "Ilvermorny."
"Why?"
"Because?" she countered.
He glowered. "Where is Alex really?"
"With Uncle Charlus," she replied, smiling sweetly, making the twins snigger at the abrupt change in her demeanour.
"Uncle…." he trailed off, spotting Alex. "Thank Merlin. This witch claims to be Alastor Moody's daughter."
Behind them, Charlus watched with interest. "She is," Alex shrugged. "Kitten, Kings, Kings, Kitten."
"Hermione," Charlus called, as Kingsley's face travelled through a series of expressions, and the twins took it as their cue to leave.
"Yes, Uncle Charlus?" It was all he could do not to show his surprise.
"I have a meeting with the Minister. If I'm not in my office when you come back, please wait?"
"Of course." He paused for a moment before nodding, marching out of the room
"I… I… What's going on?" Kingsley demanded with something close to a whine.
"I told you," Alex shrugged.
"You're not making sense!"
"I am making sense, Kings," he insisted. "You're just not listening. Let's go to lunch. I want you to get to know my baby sister."
"But I…."
"Lunch, Kings." Alex repeated, physically turning him towards the door.
Walking into the canteen was an interesting experience, little snippets of conversations cutting through the steady hum of noise. It was all she could do not to laugh at the witch trying to persuade her friend that it was perfectly acceptable to want a niffler as a pet. Her friend looked ready to throw something at her.
"Right, Kitten. What are you having?"
She shrugged, eyeing the food. "Surprise me."
He nodded with a grin. "Go and grab that table."
"Who is she really?" Kingsley demanded once she'd left.
"Hermione. Previously Catriona Moody."
"Previously?"
"Did you never hear the stories, Kings?" He shook his head. "Uncle Alstors' wife was murdered fifteen years ago. Aunt Ailsa was alone in the house with Catriona. Her body was never found but she was presumed dead too. Turns out she wasn't."
"What happened to her?"
"We don't know," Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She's been with muggles. They died recently and she came back to meet the family they had here but was attacked in The Alley. St. Mungos did a heritage test. It was as big of a surprise to her as it was for us. It's why Uncle Alastor's been off."
"Mother of Merlin," he muttered. "She looks nothing like him."
"No," Alex agreed. "She looks like Aunt Ailsa."
"You called her your sister?"
"Oh. Mum and Dad are her godparents. We were close as kids."
"You never mentioned her."
Alex pulled a face. "It was… it hurt. She was three when she disappeared. I was nine. It… She was mine from the moment Aunt Ailsa told us she was pregnant. I don't know how else to explain it. And then she was gone and it was like someone had taken a piece of me with her. So no. I didn't talk about her. I couldn't."
"And now she's back." Kingsley murmured.
"And now she's back," he agreed.
"Are they looking into what happened?"
"Quietly, yes. They'll never say it out loud but both Dad and Uncle Alastor are terrified of someone coming back to finish the job."
"Merlin," Kingsley muttered, slightly startled when Alex grinned.
"They'll get a surprise. The little witch is vicious."
"Oh?"
"Uncle Alastor's been teaching her duelling. I gather she's had some practice before though. Had me on my arse in an incarcerous in front of Jamie's class."
"Ouch," Kingsley grinned. "Think she'll duel me? I want to see this."
"Probably. She's bloody good though, Kings.
Kingsley rolled his eyes. "She's tiny, and what… has she even taken her NEWTs? She can't be that good. She looks like a strong breeze would blow her over."
Alex snorted "Want to bet on that?" he grinned, placing their lunch down on the tables. "Hey Kitten, fancy a duel later?"
She arched an eyebrow. "With you? I thought we'd already established that that was a bad idea."
"Nah, with Kings."
She shrugged. "Sure."
Kingsley put on his most charming smile. "I promise to go easy on you."
Hermione's eyebrows shot to her hairline. "Will you now?" she murmured, looking down at the plate Alex had put in front of her."
"Uncle Alastor says you have to eat at least half," Alex warned.
"Yes, Dad," she shot back, poking it with her fork. "What is it?"
"Pork of some description," he shrugged. "It wasn't clear, but well… it's the Ministry canteen, Kitten, you can't expect much."
"Lovely," she drawled, pulling a face that made him laugh.
"At least half," he singsonged. Kingsley watched them with interest, trying to get a read on this girl his best friend was so taken with. He wasn't sure what to make of her, to be honest. She seemed utterly immune to his flirting and kept looking at him as if she was disappointed. Disappointed in what, he wasn't sure. He'd never disappointed a woman in his life.
"Right, let's go and ask Dad if we can borrow the duelling room," Alex grinned once he'd decided she'd eaten enough.
Kingsley looked momentarily worried, "He's not going to let me duel his goddaughter! Merlin, she's a civilian and I'm trained and…."
Hermione laughed. "Worried?" she asked sweetly.
"About you, yes!"
"Don't be," she snorted. "I think I'll be fine."
"Enter!" Charlus' voice called when Alex knocked on the door. Charlus looked, frowning when he spotted his son. "Where's Hermione?"
"Waiting outside. We wondered if we could borrow the duelling room."
"For?"
"Ah, Kings seems to think Kitten is an easy target."
Charlus snorted. "Rufus mentioned her. I think Shacklebolt's in for a shock. Very well. I'm coming to watch. Alastor will murder me if something happens to her."
Kingsley looked visibly nervous when Charlus walked out. "Sir… I didn't…"
"Oh, do be quiet Auror Shacklebolt," Charlus commanded. "I'm merely intending to watch. Come along then."
"You're allowing this, Sir?" Kingsley checked, a small jolt of unease shooting through him as he wondered if perhaps he'd been too quick to judge this tiny woman in front of him.
"Yes," Charlus smirked. "I think it'll be… enlightening."
"Oh fuck," he muttered, making Alex laugh.
"Positions," Charlus commanded, wondering if his goddaughter truly was as good as Rufus had indicated. She looked completely at ease. Kingsley on the other hand was starting to look less sure of himself. "When you're ready."
Kingsley watched as the little witch bowed, not taking her eyes off him. And then… she stood there, a small smile on her face. He had no idea what she was doing. Cautiously, he sent a stunner in her direction. And she blocked it. He sent another two in rapid succession, which she also blocked, looking bored. Narrowing his eyes, he decided to try increasing his spells, sending three quickly. The slicing hex made her smile properly, as she darted out of the way rather than using her wand. The tripping jinx she sent back almost made him roll his eyes and he considered dialling it back again. Clearly, she wasn't anywhere near as skilled as Alex had intimated. Merlin, it was a fifth-year spell. Sighing, he wondered if he could just end this quickly. With that in mind, he summoned her wand. It hit his palm as expected. If anything, she looked even more amused, smirking at him as her stance suddenly shifted and she stopped looking like she was playing. Fuck.
He had no idea what she sent at him, only that it was quick, silent, and wandless. Moving rapidly around the room he began to sweat as she fought him in earnest with a look of determination so reminiscent of her father he almost surrendered immediately.
Charlus almost laughed as he watched them Hermione clearly had a measure of Kingsley that he hadn't anticipated. The genuine look of surprise on the boy's face as she fought back was amusing. Perhaps it would remind him not to underestimate his opponent.
"Ah boss, there you are!" A voice called behind him.
"Mr. Prewett."
"Is that… Merlin, who is she?"
"The witch that's handing Kings his arse," his brother chimed in with amusement. "Her father will be so proud."
"She's my goddaughter," Charlus grinned. "And it would appear she's doing rather well." All of them winced when Kingsley was levitated into the air, bound and silenced, a smug smile on Hermione's face as she trailed him behind her, dropping him at her godfather's feet.
"I am not impressed," she informed him.
The rest of the room snorted as a dull flush infused Kingelys cheeks.
"No?" Charlus queried, hiding his amusement.
She shrugged. "He took one look at me and decided I couldn't possibly beat the big bad Auror and as a result he lost. Is that how it works in the field these days, Uncle Charlus?"
"No," he agreed with a tilt of his head, biting back a smile at her address. "It is not. Are you going to let him up?"
"Do I have to?" she asked sweetly, making him laugh.
"Contrary to his performance today, he is one of our best up-and-coming Aurors."
She sighed with an exaggerated pout. "Fine."
Struggling to his feet, Kingsley looked shamefaced. Alex's eyebrow rose pointedly, amusement clear on his face.
"Well done, Miss Moody," he muttered.
"Perhaps next time you'll remember that people smaller than you can be just as good at magic…" she smirked.
"Point made, Miss Moody."
"Wonderful," she beamed, as Alex choked on a laugh behind her.
"Think you could take us?"
"Both of you?" She looked the twins over.
Fabin smirked. "Oh, we do like to share," he purred, making her blush.
"No!" Charlus cut in, sending a stinging hex at Fabian, making him laugh and hold up his hands in supplication.
"Sorry Boss!"
"Yeah, I think I'll pass," Hermione pulled a face, willing her flush to disappear.
"Ah now, you don't mean that!" Fabian batted his eyelashes at her.
"Doubles," his brother insisted. "It's been ages since the Director has duelled!"
"Another time, boys. I'm due a chat with my goddaughter."
The twins pouted. "I'll be back on Monday," she grinned as Charlus' head turned to her sharply.
"You will?"
"Professor Croaker promised me a tour."
"I'll bet he did," Charlus muttered. "Wouldn't you rather come work with me?"
She laughed, shaking her head "I don't know that I want to work with him yet either."
He harrumphed. "I'm not sure that makes it better.
"Who are you planning on working for?" Alex asked with a frown, not having realised she'd made any decisions beyond her NEWTs.
She shrugged. "I might be persuaded to work for the DMLE. Some of the legislation is absurd and needs to be abolished or changed."
"Like?" Kingsely aked with interest.
"House-elves need better regulations," she muttered. "And don't even get me started on the bias towards purebloods. Did you know that it's still technically legal for a pureblood to own a muggleborn?"
Charlus blinked, "That's not…that can't be…"
"Introduced by Abraham Flint in 1509. He had a… we'll go with a harem of muggleborns that he quite literally bought. It's never been repealed."
"Mother of Morganna," he muttered. "Right, well… perhaps that needs some tackling."
"You think?" she asked pointedly.
"We can discuss it in my office, dear."
"Yes, Uncle Charlus," she sighed.
"Alex, I'll return her home." Charlus dismissed Alex, taking Hermione's arm before turning to the rest of them. "Don't the three of you have work to do?"
"Yes Boss," the twins saluted.
"Miss Moody, Director Potter," Kingsley sighed, following the twins out of the room.
"See you later, Kitten!" Alex grinned before jogging after Kingsly. "I told you she was good."
"Yes, thank you. I got the message."
"Took you long enough."
Kingsley turned to look at him. "Where did she learn to fight like that?"
"What do you mean, Uncle Alastor…."
"No. Alastor Moody trained me. I am intimately familiar with his training methods. She doesn't fight anything like him. She fights like someone who's had no choice but to fight."
Alex winced before he sighed. "It's complicated.
"Uncomplicate it."
"I can't. I don't have the clearance."
"You don't have the clearance?" Kingsley hissed. "Who the fuck is this girl?"
"I told you. Catriona Moody."
"Croaker," Kingsley murmured. "She mentioned Croaker."
Alex nodded. "So she did."
"For fuck's sake. How serious is it?"
Alex ran his hand over his face. "About as serious as it gets," he muttered.
"Has this got anything to do with the lovely little invitation I got from Dumbledore over the weekend?"
Alex froze, his eyebrows shooting up. "She won't be there if that's what you're asking."
"Because she's not invited or because Alastor doesn't want her there?"
"It's complicated," he repeated.
"But linked." Alex remained silent and Kingsley sighed. "Tell me this isn't going to get you murdered." His eyes widened when he was met with silence again. "Fuck, Alex! What the fuck are you doing?"
"Attempting to ensure my baby sister doesn't get herself murdered," he muttered. "If it's any consolation, she's as happy about my involvement as you clearly are."
"It is not," Kingsley retorted.